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| Edward Heath 'saved VIP abuse accuser from attack by Tory MP' | Edward Heath 'saved VIP abuse accuser from attack by Tory MP' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A former nurse accused of fabricating claims of an establishment paedophile ring told police that ex-prime minister Sir Edward Heath stepped in to stop him being beaten by a Tory MP, a court has heard. | |
| Carl Beech, known under the pseudonym “Nick”, alleged to a Scotland Yard detective that Heath prevented ex-Conservative MP Harvey Proctor from assaulting him when he was a schoolboy. | Carl Beech, known under the pseudonym “Nick”, alleged to a Scotland Yard detective that Heath prevented ex-Conservative MP Harvey Proctor from assaulting him when he was a schoolboy. |
| Beech also claimed that in a separate incident, Proctor threatened to cut his genitals with a penknife before handing him the weapon, Newcastle crown court heard. | Beech also claimed that in a separate incident, Proctor threatened to cut his genitals with a penknife before handing him the weapon, Newcastle crown court heard. |
| Beech, who is himself a convicted paedophile after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children in a separate trial, is accused of lying about claims of a VIP abuse ring leading to £2m police investigation, which ended without making a single arrest. | Beech, who is himself a convicted paedophile after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children in a separate trial, is accused of lying about claims of a VIP abuse ring leading to £2m police investigation, which ended without making a single arrest. |
| The 51-year-old, from Gloucester, alleged he was among the victims of a group of senior figures in politics, the military and the intelligence services whom he claimed raped, kidnapped and murdered boys in the late 1970s and early 80s. | The 51-year-old, from Gloucester, alleged he was among the victims of a group of senior figures in politics, the military and the intelligence services whom he claimed raped, kidnapped and murdered boys in the late 1970s and early 80s. |
| He denies 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one of fraud over a £22,000 criminal compensation payout he received. | He denies 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one of fraud over a £22,000 criminal compensation payout he received. |
| In a recorded interview with DS James Townly in October 2014, Beech claimed Heath, who he said reminded him of his grandfather, was in attendance when he was made to perform a sex act on Proctor, the court heard. | In a recorded interview with DS James Townly in October 2014, Beech claimed Heath, who he said reminded him of his grandfather, was in attendance when he was made to perform a sex act on Proctor, the court heard. |
| Beech told the detective: “The next thing, he just started laying into me and hitting. Edward stopped him and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like it though he didn’t question it.” | Beech told the detective: “The next thing, he just started laying into me and hitting. Edward stopped him and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like it though he didn’t question it.” |
| Beech said this occurred after an incident where he alleged Proctor wanted to cut him with a penknife but was stopped by another gang member, the court heard. | Beech said this occurred after an incident where he alleged Proctor wanted to cut him with a penknife but was stopped by another gang member, the court heard. |
| He alleged Proctor warned him: “Next time … ”, before putting the weapon into Beech’s trousers. Beech gave the penknife to the detective, telling him he had stored it in a box. | He alleged Proctor warned him: “Next time … ”, before putting the weapon into Beech’s trousers. Beech gave the penknife to the detective, telling him he had stored it in a box. |
| Jurors also heard how Beech told DS Townly during the interview his pet dog was kidnapped as punishment for missing a meeting with his alleged abusers. | Jurors also heard how Beech told DS Townly during the interview his pet dog was kidnapped as punishment for missing a meeting with his alleged abusers. |
| Beech said Sir Michael Hanley, the late former head of MI5, confronted him at the school gates to inform him the group had taken his dog, Heron, as a warning. | Beech said Sir Michael Hanley, the late former head of MI5, confronted him at the school gates to inform him the group had taken his dog, Heron, as a warning. |
| Beech said that when he was attending school in Kingston, south-west London, his dog had gone missing when she was being walked by his aunt. | Beech said that when he was attending school in Kingston, south-west London, his dog had gone missing when she was being walked by his aunt. |
| He told the detective the abuse ring knew he had a pet, where he lived and who his teachers were, the court heard. | He told the detective the abuse ring knew he had a pet, where he lived and who his teachers were, the court heard. |
| Aged about 13, he claimed he forgot to attend a meeting with the group and “the punishment was they took my dog”. Beech was “absolutely devastated” and searched for his pet. | Aged about 13, he claimed he forgot to attend a meeting with the group and “the punishment was they took my dog”. Beech was “absolutely devastated” and searched for his pet. |
| He told DS Townly: “Michael [Hanley, the former head of MI5 whom Beech claimed was part of the gang] came to me outside school. He didn’t have her in the car but they had taken Heron, my dog, and they had taken her as a warning. They kept her for five days and then they let her go.” | He told DS Townly: “Michael [Hanley, the former head of MI5 whom Beech claimed was part of the gang] came to me outside school. He didn’t have her in the car but they had taken Heron, my dog, and they had taken her as a warning. They kept her for five days and then they let her go.” |
| Beech said he later collected his dog, who was unharmed, from Surbiton police station. | Beech said he later collected his dog, who was unharmed, from Surbiton police station. |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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