Man claims solicitor abused him in his cell

A MAN who said a Plymouth solicitor sexually abused him in a cell at Charles Cross police station told the court it was not easy to give evidence in court about the incidents as they were not a "day out in Alton Towers".

- By CARL EVE

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons but who is being named as Male A by The Herald, confirmed he took part in a video interview with police a practice known as Achieving Best Evidence, which is offered to complainants of sexual assaults in 2015.

He has alleged that Alan Harris, 71, from Thorn Park in Plymouth, sexually assaulted him on two occasions, between December 3, 1989 and August 10, 1991. He told police that the first incident took place within a cell at Charles Cross police station custody suite and the second took place in a consultation room at Plymouth Magistrates' Court.

He went on to confirm he gave two video interviews in August and September of that year and that the alleged offences took place between 1988 and 1991, saying he was a teenager at the time.

In answer to questions from defence barrister Christine Agnew KC, Male A said he was first represented by Harris at juvenile court and claimed that the first assault took place in a cell at Charles Cross police station.