A MAN accused of being a serial abuser of children, including five boys, told police he saw himself as a “dad figure”, but denied anything inappropriate took place with any of them.

Stanley Simpson agreed that he took boys under his wing, even allowing them to stay over at his home, but felt it was an extension of the role he played at work, at a community advice centre.

The 50-year-old legal advisor is accused of 34 sexually-related charges, including six of rape, of seven alleged victims, five male and two female, aged eight to 15, over about 20 years from 1980.

All were said to have taken place at homes he lived in, at the relevant times, in the Pennywell area of Sunderland, and in Walden Close, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street.

He denies the charges, but told police he had no idea why any of the alleged victims would make up such allegations, other than possible “financial” reasons.

During the seventh day of his trial, at Durham Crown Court, the jury was read transcripts of several of his police interviews.

The court heard he was arrested and interviewed in relation to one of the victims in October 2006, but no further action was taken at the time.

Another allegation was made in 2010, but the complainant in that case did not wish to take it any further.

But, by 2014 several more complaints arose and police re-visited some of those who had previously come forward.

During all the interviews Simpson denied any offence took place, but could offer no explanation why the complaints would have been made.

He denied having had any relationships or sexual interest in boys, or even, “preferences towards males.”

In one interview he was asked, by Detective Constable Barbara Stafford: “So, it sounds like you took these kids under your wing?”

He replied: “Yes, that would be right. I have always tried to help people, that’s my job.

“I have always tried to be there for people.”

He agreed that he had been something of a “dad figure” to the boys, some of whom he said had gone off the rails.

Asked about one boy who developed mental health difficulties following the alleged abuse, the defendant told Det Con Stafford: “I don’t know why things have gone wrong.

“Is he stable?”

Det Con Stafford replied: “He says where it went wrong was when he was abused.

“Wasn’t he sexually abused by you?

“Is it not the case he’s telling the truth?”

He denied the suggestion, adding: “I don’t know why he’s telling you it.”

The trial continues tomorrow (Thursday February 4).