The trial of Alan Harris begun yesterday at Winchester Crown Court. Mr Harris is alleged to have sexually abused eight men and one woman between 1989 and 2015 and is accused of multiple counts of indecent assault, sexual assault and rape.
The complainants are all former clients of the defendant, who practised as a criminal defence solicitor in Plymouth. The Prosecution allege that Mr Harris would sexually abuse his clients during legal conferences at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court or in the cells at Plymouth Police station, as well as at other locations around Plymouth.
The case is a result of an extensive investigation by the Police Major Crime Investigation Team in Plymouth. Counsel are instructed by the CPS Thames and Chiltern Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit.
The trial is expected to last 6 weeks and the complainants' anonymity is protected by Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. Mr Harris denies all of the allegations.
The case has been covered by local, national and legal press:
Anne Whyte KC
Oliver Mosley