This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40134571
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Tony and Julie Wadsworth trial: Ex-BBC host found woodland sex 'erotic' | Tony and Julie Wadsworth trial: Ex-BBC host found woodland sex 'erotic' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A former BBC presenter has told a court he found watching his wife with a young stranger "erotic". | A former BBC presenter has told a court he found watching his wife with a young stranger "erotic". |
Tony Wadsworth said his wife Julie was, "a very special human being" who had found the daytime encounter in a Warwickshire woodland "exhilarating". | Tony Wadsworth said his wife Julie was, "a very special human being" who had found the daytime encounter in a Warwickshire woodland "exhilarating". |
The couple are on trial at Warwick Crown Court accused of assaulting seven boys in the 1990s. | The couple are on trial at Warwick Crown Court accused of assaulting seven boys in the 1990s. |
Mrs Wadsworth accepts having sexual encounters with "young men" but has repeatedly denied they were under age. | Mrs Wadsworth accepts having sexual encounters with "young men" but has repeatedly denied they were under age. |
'Felt empowered' | 'Felt empowered' |
The husband and wife duo were employed in BBC local radio at the time of the alleged offences. | |
Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Wadsworth described two separate encounters involving up to three males each time. | Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Wadsworth described two separate encounters involving up to three males each time. |
He told the court they appeared to be "16, 17 - possibly 18". | He told the court they appeared to be "16, 17 - possibly 18". |
Mr Wadsworth described a claim he had illegal sexual encounters as "outrageous", and denied a prosecution allegation he had a threesome with his wife and a boy at his then home in Warwickshire. | Mr Wadsworth described a claim he had illegal sexual encounters as "outrageous", and denied a prosecution allegation he had a threesome with his wife and a boy at his then home in Warwickshire. |
When describing the couple's first encounter in the woods with one of the complainants, Mr Wadsworth said he found it "erotic" to watch his wife with the young stranger. | When describing the couple's first encounter in the woods with one of the complainants, Mr Wadsworth said he found it "erotic" to watch his wife with the young stranger. |
"She felt empowered as a woman," he said. | "She felt empowered as a woman," he said. |
He claimed he and his wife had been "kissing and cuddling" when they became aware of a young man watching them. | He claimed he and his wife had been "kissing and cuddling" when they became aware of a young man watching them. |
Mr Wadsworth, 69, said: "I turned, looked around and saw this fella and must confess it was something of a shock. | Mr Wadsworth, 69, said: "I turned, looked around and saw this fella and must confess it was something of a shock. |
"It was clear what he was hoping to do. He came forward as I stepped to one side." | "It was clear what he was hoping to do. He came forward as I stepped to one side." |
He said the encounter took place without a word being exchanged. | He said the encounter took place without a word being exchanged. |
He said: "After the heat of the moment was over, it was all very embarrassing and awkward. | He said: "After the heat of the moment was over, it was all very embarrassing and awkward. |
"We tidied ourselves up and we all went our separate ways." | "We tidied ourselves up and we all went our separate ways." |
Asked by his barrister Michelle Clarke why he allowed his wife to be approached by another man, Mr Wadsworth said her past with an abusive partner had left her insecure. | Asked by his barrister Michelle Clarke why he allowed his wife to be approached by another man, Mr Wadsworth said her past with an abusive partner had left her insecure. |
He told jurors he wanted to prove others found her sexually desirable. | He told jurors he wanted to prove others found her sexually desirable. |
"I think it's fair to say that Julie was and to some extent still is today a damaged person," he said. | "I think it's fair to say that Julie was and to some extent still is today a damaged person," he said. |
"And as our relationship developed she began to confide in me and tell me about her abusive partner who was absolutely vile - the things he perpetrated on her. | "And as our relationship developed she began to confide in me and tell me about her abusive partner who was absolutely vile - the things he perpetrated on her. |
"So I did my best to bring out the woman inside her, I suppose." | "So I did my best to bring out the woman inside her, I suppose." |
Mrs Wadsworth has accepted going on to have a sexual relationship with the first complainant, after bumping into him some years later. | Mrs Wadsworth has accepted going on to have a sexual relationship with the first complainant, after bumping into him some years later. |
Her husband said he was angry when he discovered that tryst and rejected a Facebook friend request from the complainant in 2015. | Her husband said he was angry when he discovered that tryst and rejected a Facebook friend request from the complainant in 2015. |
He said the couple - who previously worked for BBC Leicester and Birmingham-based BBC WM - had taken part in a second woodland encounter involving three males. | He said the couple - who previously worked for BBC Leicester and Birmingham-based BBC WM - had taken part in a second woodland encounter involving three males. |
Afterwards he said the couple agreed what was happening was "ridiculous, foolhardy and stupid and there would be no repetition". | Afterwards he said the couple agreed what was happening was "ridiculous, foolhardy and stupid and there would be no repetition". |
The couple, from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, deny five counts of outraging public decency which allege they engaged in sexual activity "against a tree" in view of others between July 1992 and June 1996. | The couple, from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, deny five counts of outraging public decency which allege they engaged in sexual activity "against a tree" in view of others between July 1992 and June 1996. |
Mrs Wadsworth has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of indecent assault, while her husband denies nine counts of the same offence. | Mrs Wadsworth has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of indecent assault, while her husband denies nine counts of the same offence. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Previous version
1
Next version