A JURY has been told how a man who denies indecently assaulting a teenager on three occasions had a previous conviction for downloading indecent sexual images of young boys on his computer.
Aaron Ledean, 40, was repeatedly asked by prosecutor Shaun Dodds whether he had an attraction towards young boys.
Mr Ledean, who is on trial at Teesside Crown Court, said there was a “world of difference” between having an attraction to something and acting on it.
The prosecution in the trial say the defendant met the complainant in a bar in Middlesbrough and also had him visit his home, where some of the assaults took place.
Mr Ledean, of The Paddock, Billy Row, Crook, County Durham, who was previously known as Robert Millmoor, maintains nothing untoward happened.
Mr Dodds also described how another assault took place when the defendant had gone on a “date” to the cinema with the alleged victim to see the film Romeo and Juliet.
He said this could be described as a romantic film.
Giving evidence, Mr Ledean replied: “There is no more romantic interest in me going to see Romeo and Juliet [with the complainant] than it was when I took my mother to see Titanic.
“This is not relevant to the accusation of assault.”
Earlier the alleged victim in his evidence admitted he developed feelings for Mr Ledean, but denied that he “misread the signals” by wanting a relationship with him.
The trial continues.
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