An Isle of Wight councillor has taken the stand to defend himself today (Thursday) against allegations of historic child sex abuse.
Cllr Daryll Pitcher is charged with two counts of rape between June 1990 and March 1992 and one of indecent assault of a girl under 13 years old, by having sexual intercourse between March and June 1990.
Mr Pitcher, 46, has always denied committing the offences.
Although he knew the alleged victim as a child he said he had no knowledge of the incidents.
The statement Mr Pitcher originally gave police after he was arrested in February 2022 was read to the jury.
In it, Mr Pitcher, denied ever raping or sexually assaulting the woman.
He said they used to play together as children but he never touched her in a sexual way and did not know why she was saying he had done this.
Earlier this week, the alleged victim told jurors Mr Pitcher had raped her twice as a child, when he was a child himself.
Speaking in court today, Mr Pitcher said when he was arrested, he was dumbstruck and felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under him.
Since then, he said his work life has been a struggle and agreed the allegations put against him were ‘untrue and complete fiction’.
Mr Nick Tucker, prosecuting, questioned Mr Pitcher’s decision in his police interview not to answer questions — instead providing a written statement.
Mr Tucker called on Mr Pitcher’s role in politics, and his ability to speak in public and ‘articulate himself in difficult situations under pressure’.
He said Mr Pitcher would have been well equipped to answer the police’s questions and wondered if he had anything to hide.
Mr Pitcher disagreed and said when he is asked to speak he is normally briefed and does not go in blind.
When speaking to the police he said he was outside of his comfort zone with no idea what was going on and incredibly stressed. He said it would have been ‘foolhardy to try and answer questions on something he did not understand.’
The woman has denied making up allegations, after being challenged by Mr Pitcher’s defence counsel Ben Dyer.
She said the alleged incidents had been ingrained in her memory and that she had never forgotten what had happened.
The trial continues tomorrow (Friday).
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
