Ex-solicitor had 'no respect' for alleged victims

Alan Harris has denied 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rape

A former criminal defence solicitor hoped clients he allegedly sexually abused would be seen as "second-class citizens" due to their past offending, a court has heard.

Alan Harris, 72, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rape, dating from 1989 to 2015.

Summing up the prosecution's case, Anne Whyte KC told the court Mr Harris - who has denied the charges - had "absolutely no respect" for the alleged victims.

She said the complainants took years to come forward because they felt their word would "count for nothing" against a solicitor. The trial continues.

Mr Harris is accused of carrying out the abuse in locations such as Plymouth Magistrates' Court, Charles Cross Police Station and his own office and car.

Ms Whyte told the court the alleged victims were "very flawed... very difficult and defensive" people who had habitually broken the law but this did not mean they "forfeited the right to be believed".

She added a person like Mr Harris - who has no previous convictions - was more than capable of "committing an untruth".

His motive for going through a trial was "self-preservation", she told jurors.

"I'm going to suggest he's done that because he's banking on the victims being seen as second class citizens and witnesses," she continued.

Addressing the fact many of the alleged victims had used Mr Harris on multiple occasions for legal representation, Ms Whyte said they were in an "impossible position", which the defendant was aware of.

Ms Whyte said: "They needed Alan Harris desperately in most situations and he knew that, and they had no option but to tolerate what he was doing."

'Confident refuge'

She said they had many common denominators including being young, in trouble with the law, having serious social problems and a complete mistrust of police.

Ms Whyte described Mr Harris as a "risk-taker" who abused his position.

"Alan Harris had absolutely no respect for these people but he has more in common with them than he thinks," Ms Whyte said.

"Like them he took something he wasn't entitled to, but unlike them, he got away with it.

"He took the confident refuge that came with his work and station in life."