YAXLEY MAN STANDS TRIAL FOR RAPE AND OTHER SEX OFFENCES
A man says pictures of his genitals were “accidentally” sent to a school girl as he stands trial for sexual offences.The trial of 46-year-old John Barnes continued at Ipswich Crown Court began on Monday.
He had denied two charges of raping a girl under 13, three charges of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one of which involved penetration, two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.
It is alleged that the offending took place between 2018 and 2021, when the defendant was aged between nine and 11.
The trial heard that Barnes admitted to sending the girl a picture of his genitals via WhatsApp but claimed it was done by accident.
The court was told Barnes had carried out a sex act in front of the girl and asked her to sit on his lap and “move” over his private parts during encounters.
The girl told police about an incident leading to a charge of rape, and she said Barnes had told her not to tell anyone or he would go to jail and “lose everything”.
Barnes maintains that no such conversation occurred.
The trial continues.
