Alleged victim in child sex abuse trial “too scared to say anything”

Wednesday 26 July 2017

The trial of a 51-year-old man, accused of 13 counts of sexual offences, has heard testimony from the second alleged victim in the case.

Martin James Jegou – formerly known as Martin James Ridgway Richardson – denies all the charges.

They include six counts of indecent assault, four counts of procuring an act of gross indecency and three counts of rape against two young girls.

Mr Jegou changed his name by deed poll after his arrest in January 2016.

The second alleged victim told the Royal Court yesterday that she was “too scared to say anything” in case she wasn’t believed. Reportedly, this witness did not come forward with any allegations until the police approached her when the investigation into Mr Jegou was launched.

When describing how she felt after the alleged indecent assault took place, she said: “I felt really uncomfortable… obviously it’s not right… I just wanted to get out of there.”

During Defence Advocate Michael Haines' cross-examination, the witness was asked whether she had fabricated the incident that she alleges; to which, she responded: "I have integrity, I wouldn't do something like that."

The Court also heard from other witnesses for the prosecution.

The trial continues today with the Defence’s cross-examination of one of the Crown’s witnesses as well as testimony from two police officers involved in the initial investigation of the case.