Defence lawyer claims assault accusers lied 'like knotweed'

The defence for Alan Harris, 72, accused of multiple sexual offenses, has asserted that the alleged victims have propagated "full blown lies" and "falsehoods." During her closing arguments at Winchester Crown Court, defence barrister Christine Agnew KC compared the spread of these alleged untruths to invasive "knotweed." Harris vehemently denies all 24 charges, which span indecent assault, sexual assault, and rape, occurring between 1989 and 2015. These alleged assaults reportedly took place at various locations including Plymouth Magistrates' Court, Charles Cross Police Station, and the solicitor's own office and car.

Ms. Agnew highlighted a "whiff of collusion and contamination" among the allegations, suggesting a concerted effort to deceive the jury. She characterized the accusers as convicted criminals with a history of dishonesty, drawing a stark contrast between their lifestyles and that of Mr. Harris, a man described as having "hundreds and thousands" of contented clients. The defence contended that the evidence presented falls significantly short of the "high bar" required for conviction.

The defence further dismissed the notion that some accusers continued to use Harris's services because he could secure their release from prison, stating he was "good, but he wasn't a magician." The trial, which has heard extensive testimony, is ongoing, with the jury tasked with discerning truth from alleged fabrications in a case pitting the credibility of the accused against that of his accusers.