Jury in child sex trial of Teesside radio DJ Mark Page asked to 'remember Jimmy Savile'

The jury in the trial of an ex-Radio One DJ who is accused of child sex offences was asked to consider Jimmy Savile when judging the defendant's good character.

Mark Page, who worked at the station in the 1980s, denies five counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

Page, a 63-year-old divorced father of three from Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, is accused of committing three offences via a webcam linking his home to the Philippines in 2016.

A further two offences were said to have occurred when he had travelled to that country, which he visited regularly for business reasons after setting up a successful radio station for the armed forces.

Page, previously match announcer at Middlesbrough FC games, has no convictions, conducts fundraising events for charity, and the defence at Teesside Crown Court read a series of character references.

In her closing speech to the jury, Jo Kidd, for the prosecution, said being highly-regarded by friends and family, and conducting charity work, did not mean Page was incapable of these offences.

She said: "Some of you may be old enough to remember Jim'll Fix It. You will remember watching It's A Knockout.

"You will remember revelling in the size of Gary Glitter's shoes.

"They were people who were spoken highly of, even people who were knighted by the Queen."

She said there was almost a "state funeral" for Savile, with his golden coffin taken through the streets of Leeds.

Ms Kidd continued: "I am not saying this on the basis that just because Mr Page was a Radio One DJ, that it makes him guilty of these offences.

"But it is worth noting, when one puts on a public face, when one carries out charity work, it does not mean the underbelly of their sexual depravity is not real."

She said Page frequently travelled to the Philippines, and phone and Skype accounts - as well as Western Union payments - were "compelling evidence" that he was the perpetrator of these offences.

Trevor Burke QC, defending, said the jury would not be helped by the reference to Savile. He said: "What on earth the prosecution feel they can achieve by inviting you, as a jury, to compare and contrast him with Jimmy Savile, I have not the first idea.

"It should never have been suggested and you will ignore it, it doesn't help you at all."

Mr Burke said such comments could fuel Page's feelings that there was some kind of witch-hunt against him.

Page has previously told the jury his accounts had been hacked.

The trial continues.