Five guilty verdicts so far
A MAN at the centre of child sex abuse allegations including "quasi-Satanic" rituals has been found guilty on five counts.David Stalford 56, of Oak Hill, Hollesley, but formerly of Great Whelnetham and Honington, has been on trial at Ipswich Crown Court with his wife Bette, 55, of the same address.
A MAN at the centre of child sex abuse allegations including "quasi-Satanic" rituals has been found guilty on five counts.
David Stalford 56, of Oak Hill, Hollesley, but formerly of Great Whelnetham and Honington, has been on trial at Ipswich Crown Court with his wife Bette, 55, of the same address.
When the trial began on June 28, the jury of six men and six women had to consider a total of 21 charges, involving three female complainants, now adult.
The couple denied six joint offences of indecent assault and six alternative offences of indecency with a child.
David Stalford alone denied five offences of indecent assault and four offences of indecency with a child.
Earlier in the trial, Judge Peter Thompson directed not guilty verdicts in respect of three charges of indecent assault alleged against David Stalford.
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The allegations in respect of all three complaints cover a period from 1974 to 1987.
Yesterday , the jury delivered its five verdicts after more than six hours of deliberations.
David Stalford was found guilty of three counts of indecency with a child, and two counts of indecent assault. He is still facing one count of indecency with a child, along with the joint charges.
The jury will be continuing its deliberations today on the charges relating to sex abuse in the context of "quasi-Satanic" rituals, which Bette Stalford was alleged to have taken part.
David Stalford has told the court when giving evidence that he had no interest in the occult. He denied the allegations and described them as "absolutely horrendous and disgusting".
Mrs Stalford, who also denies the charges, chose not to give evidence during the trial.
