MP Nigel Evans accused of groping in parliament bar and rape of sleeping student
MP Nigel Evans exploited his powerful influence to sexually assault seven men, a court has been told today.
The former deputy speaker of the House of Commons is charged with two counts of indecent assault, six of sexual assault and one of rape, but denies all the charges against him.
Today prosecutors said Mr Evans had exerted his power to press his sexual attentions on young victims, believing "that his position made it less than likely that someone would complain".
There are nine charges overall from seven alleged victims, dating from 2002 to 1 April 2013. They were heard in court today:
Count 1: indecent assault of a male between January 1, 2002 and January 1, 2004.
Count 2: indecent assault of a male between January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2004.
Count 3: sexual assault (intentional touching) between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010.
Count 4: sexual assault (intentional touching) between June 30, 2009 and August 1, 2009.
Count 5: sexual assault (intentional touching) between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011.
Count 6: sexual assault (intentional touching) between January 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012.
Counts 7, 8 and 9 all involve the same complainant.
Count 7: sexual assault (intentional touching) between March 29, 2013 and April 1, 2013.
Count 8: rape between March 29, 2013 and April 1, 2013.
Count 9: sexual assault (intentional touching) between March 29, 2013 and April 1, 2013.
The most serious of the allegations against the 56-year-old MP is a claim that he raped a sleeping student in his home in Pendleton, Lancashire. Mr Evans argues events were entirely consensual.
He is also alleged to have committed separate sexual assaults at a parliamentary bar and at the Conservative Party conference.
Mr Evans has said he will "robustly defend his innocence" after resigning his role as deputy speaker in September to fight the allegations against him.
The speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, is expected to be a witness at the trial, while jurors were also told they could hear testimony from Michael Fabricant MP, Conor Burns MP and former MP Lembit Opik.