A CHRISTIAN minister accused of sexually abusing young inmates yesterday claimed explicit novels found at his home had been kept for his church work.

Neville Husband, 65, is alleged to have asked one of his victims to carry out a particular perverted act which was described in the books.

But under cross-examination at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, the former prison officer said the books, bought at a mainstream bookstore at "two for the price of one", had been for research purposes.

He said: "It was there for reference if I needed to do research, as were other books too.

He added: "I wasn't a high witch, but had books on witchcraft. I also had books on cannibalism and am not cannibal."

Mr Husband is alleged to have used his position in the kitchens at Medomsley Detention Centre, Consett, County Durham, to carry out sex attacks on six teenagers in the 1970s and 1980s. He has denied all the charges.

Earlier, the court was told the two books were found at his home at the time of his arrest.

But Mr Husband said the books had to be seen within the "context of various aspects of pastoral care and knowledge".

Asked by Jamie Hill, prosecuting, what aspects of pastoral care could have to do with the perverted acts described in the novels, Mr Husband said: "When looking at human sexuality, one cannot isolate one aspect of human sexuality, it covers a lot of things."

Mr Husband, who claims he did not read the content of the books, denied knowledge of pornographic magazines found in his loft, which depicted other specific acts he is accused of.

He rejected allegations that he had picked the most vulnerable to work with him in the kitchen or that he had abused anyone.

Mr Husband said: "I thought I was fairly popular. Obviously I haven't been as popular as I thought."

Mr Husband, of Snows Green Road, Shotley Bridge, County Durham, who has since become a minister in the United Reformed Church responsible for two churches in Gateshead, has been suspended from church duties pending the outcome of the trial.