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Jury deliberates ex BBC man’s child sex charges

By Press Association

The jury in the trial of a former BBC presenter accused of child sex offences has retired to consider its verdict.

Ex-BBC Norfolk and former Radio Clyde broadcaster Michael Souter is standing trial after pleading not guilty to a series of historic sex attacks on boys.

The 60-year-old, of Loddon, Norfolk, denies 19 sex offences, including indecent assault, indecency with a child, and serious sexual offences, against seven boys aged between 11 and 16.

The allegations date from between 1979 and 1999.

Souter, who was also involved in the Scouts and a social services youth mentoring scheme, also denies a further nine counts of making and possessing indecent images of under-18s.

Prosecutors have described him as a "sexual deviant" who was obsessed with young boys in shorts and uniform.

Souter claims he is the victim of a conspiracy in which allegations against him were made up.

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A Norwich Crown Court spokeswoman confirmed that the jury was sent out at just before 11.20am.

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