AN alleged victim of sex abuse yesterday angrily denied he had colluded with his brother to fabricate charges against a former prison officer.

In a showdown in front of a jury, the man pointed at his alleged tormentor and shouted: "You may deny it, but God knows that you did it."

The man, in his late 30s, was being cross-examined in Newcastle Crown Court after giving evidence at the trial of Neville Husband, 65. 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 charges.

The man, whose brother was the second witness to give evidence against Mr Husband, told the court he was sent to Medomsley aged 19. There, he claimed, he was picked by Mr Husband to work in the kitchen, where he was groped. He also said he was forced to commit a sex act.

Carl Gumsley, defending, suggested that the man had "jumped on the bandwagon with his brother", who had seen television reports referring to Mr Husband.

The witness replied: "Do you think I would have come up here after all these years to collude with my brother? For what gain? To come to this court in this embarrassing situation."

Then, shouting, he said: "If you think it didn't happen you are sorely mistaken. This man sexually abused me, as God is my witness.

"He abused me ... he abused my body, he abused my trust. He was in charge of me. What could I do? I was locked in prison."

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.

The case continues.