A MAN accused of sexually abusing boys at his home has denied his relationship with his former partner was “a lavender marriage”.

Stanley Simpson was responding to questions by prosecuting barrister Sarah Mallett on the tenth day of his trial at Durham Crown Court today (Monday February 8).

Under cross-examination, he previously denied having had a sexual interest in boys and said he was heterosexual.

Five of his alleged seven victims were boys, aged between eight and 15, who the prosecution claim were invited to homes where he lived, at Pennywell, Sunderland, and in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, at different times during the 80s and 90s.

During his trial, the court heard he had been in a long-term relationship with a woman, who worked as a chef at an Italian restaurant in Sunderland city centre.

She often did not get home from work until the early hours of the morning, particularly on weekends, while, in the latter days of the relationship, she often just stayed at her mother’s home in Sunderland, on finishing her shift.

But, she told the court in evidence that shortly before breaking up with Simpson, they slept apart.

As she continued cross-examining the defendant today (Monday), Miss Mallett asked about the relationship.

“It was a bit of a ‘lavender marriage’ wasn’t it, to cover for your interest in children?

“That was a way most suspicions were avoided with their parents, and you saw how useful that was to you?”

Simpson denied the suggestion.

Miss Mallett then asked about the time the relationship did finally end.

“Did you realise, by then, you preferred boys and did not want your former partner around the house at any time?”

But, Simpson said his former partner had been, “very much part of my life”.

He also denied the prosecution suggestion that he told the abused boys that he was helping to develop them sexually.

“That didn’t happen. I can’t account for what they have said,” he told the court.

The 50-year-old defendant, of Peniston Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, denies a total of 34 charges, including six of rape.

His trial continues tomorrow (Tuesday February 9).