‘I was never alone with those girls’ - Oakdale man tells court (From South Wales Argus)

‘I was never alone with those girls’ - Oakdale man tells court

2:40pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A VALLEYS man accused of sexually assaulting two girls told a court he has never been on his own with either of them.

Vernon Cleverly, 58, of Llwyn-on Crescent, Oakdale, uncle of Welsh boxing champion Nathan Cleverly, took the stand at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, where he repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Cleverly is accused of six charges of indecent assault.

He denies the charges.

Being questioned by his defence barrister, Ieuan Rees, Cleverly said he could not recall ever being on his own with either of the alleged victims.

When asked directly if he carried out any of the alleged assaults, he replied “no, never”.

Earlier in the trial, prosecutor Susan Ferrier said the complainants – who had never met before the trial – were both young girls when the alleged abuse took place.

The first woman claimed Cleverly lay on top of her and touched her after inviting her to look at a teddy bear, and told her to keep it a secret.

In recorded evidence she said she lay there and cried, and wanted it to stop.

The second woman told police Cleverly touched her, kissed her and made her touch him, the court heard.

Later, when the second woman reported allegations to police after she saw Cleverly at a party, officers were led to the first alleged victim.

Proceeding