Exclusive:Double-murderer Allan Grimson refuses to speak in historical rape trial as evidence concludes
Allan Grimson has denied charges of rape and indecent assault.
A muderer has refused to give evidence in court after being charged with rape and sexual offences, a jury has been told.
Former petty officer Allan Grimson was jailed for life in 2001 for the murders of Nicholas Wright and Sion Jenkins in the late 1990s. He is serving a life sentence for these crimes.
The 66-year-old Royal Navy veteran is now on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of the rape of a teenager and indecent assault charges against three other male complainants, including a 14-year-old boy, dating between February 1994 and November 1999. Grimson denies the charges.
In court today (Wednesday, July 22), the jury has been told that Grimson will not be called upon to speak during the trial, with all evidence now given to them.
The prosecution and defence will make their closing statements, followed by a summary from Judge Paul Dugdale, before the jury retires to consider a verdict. Addressing them in court, Judge Dugdale told the jury that they “must be sure” of guilt, otherwise they must consider Grimson to be not guilty instead.
He said: “You will hear arguments from both prosecution and defence. Grimson does not have to prove his innocence - the burden is on the prosecution.
“There are 13 counts on the indictment, from four complainants. Treat each count, and each complainant, separately. Your verdicts do not have to be the same [for each charge]. You must be sure that the complainants were not consenting, and that Grimson either knew they were not consenting, or didn’t care.
“Part of the prosecution’s case is based on what Grimson told the police in his first interviews in 1999. The defence’s case is based on later interviews.
“You are entitled to look at what he says in his interviews, and take into account the explanations he gave as to a change in his account of sexual encounters with our four complainants.”
Earlier in the trial, the court heard how after initially being arrested in December 1999, Grimson told police that he had touched a boy, before later retracting his statement, saying there was “some confusion” in his mind, having confessed to the two murders.
The jury was told that they will likely be retired either tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, July 23), or early on Friday morning (Friday, July 24).
(Proceeding)