A MORECAMBE man has gone on trial at Preston Crown Court for alleged "persistent and systematic" abuse of five children. The jury heard that the abuse was both physical and sexual.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies twelve charges of rape, six of indecent assault, one of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and three of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 22 alleged offences took place between 1992 and 1997.

Mr Richard Haworth told the jury the man had lived in various parts of the country including Caton, Fleetwood, Heysham, Lancaster and Morecambe. He settled in Lancashire in 1995 and lived in Morecambe.

Mr Haworth told the jury the behaviour of the defendant was "indiscriminate" and "directed to the child in the firing line when his lust of temper vented itself."

One of the children seemed to have been his preferred victim and they were too afraid to say anything. Those who did were "dealt with in a cruel and summary fashion."

He said a sad fact of the case was that the abuse of one child was known to the other. The abuse came to light the children were taken into care. Mr Haworth told the jury they must put out of their minds feelings of sympathy and hostility. Sentiment and anger have no place in your deliberations," he said.

Proceeding

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