This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/17/maoist-activist-rape-false-imprisonment-cruelty

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Maoist activist charged with rape, false imprisonment and indecent assault Maoist activist charged with rape, false imprisonment and indecent assault
(about 2 hours later)
A Maoist activist has appeared in court charged with 25 offences including rape and child cruelty.A Maoist activist has appeared in court charged with 25 offences including rape and child cruelty.
Aravindan Balakrishnan, 74 faces four rape charges as well as false imprisonment and 19 counts of indecent assault.Aravindan Balakrishnan, 74 faces four rape charges as well as false imprisonment and 19 counts of indecent assault.
In a brief hearing at Westminster magistrates court, Balakrishnan indicated through his lawyer that he is to plead not guilty to the charges. In a brief hearing at Westminster magistrates court, Balakrishnan indicated through his lawyer that he was to plead not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutor Tony Connell told the court Balakrishnan had committed various offences over a long period of time, “sometimes rapes, sometimes oral sex, sometimes indecent touching”. Prosecutor Tony Connell told the court Balakrishnan had committed a number of offences over a long period of time, “sometimes rapes, sometimes oral sex, sometimes indecent touching”.
He arrived to a media scrum outside court and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address as he sat alone in the glass encased dock before district judge Howard Riddle. He arrived to a media scrum outside court and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address as he sat alone in the glass-encased dock before district judge Howard Riddle.
Wearing a blue waterproof jacket, thick spectacles with his long grey hair tied back, Balakrishnan at times struggled to hear the court clerk. Wearing a blue waterproof jacket and thick spectacles, with his long grey hair tied back, Balakrishnan at times struggled to hear the court clerk.
The ageing activist, dubbed Comrade Bala by fellow Maoists, applied through his lawyer, Adam Wiseman, to prevent his address being read out in open court. However, this was dismissed by Riddle.The ageing activist, dubbed Comrade Bala by fellow Maoists, applied through his lawyer, Adam Wiseman, to prevent his address being read out in open court. However, this was dismissed by Riddle.
Balakrishnan was released on bail on condition that he live and sleep at his address in Edmonton, north London, that he does not apply to travel abroad or enter the borough of Lambeth without his solicitor. He is also prevented from contacting any of the alleged victims or prosecution witnesses.Balakrishnan was released on bail on condition that he live and sleep at his address in Edmonton, north London, that he does not apply to travel abroad or enter the borough of Lambeth without his solicitor. He is also prevented from contacting any of the alleged victims or prosecution witnesses.
He is next due to appear at Southwark crown court on 31 December.He is next due to appear at Southwark crown court on 31 December.
Asked by the judge whether Balakrishnan intended to enter a plea at his next court appearance, Wiseman confirmed he would and said: “Which will be not guilty.”Asked by the judge whether Balakrishnan intended to enter a plea at his next court appearance, Wiseman confirmed he would and said: “Which will be not guilty.”
Following the decision to charge Balakrishnan, Anthony Connell, senior prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “After careful consideration we have decided that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.”Following the decision to charge Balakrishnan, Anthony Connell, senior prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “After careful consideration we have decided that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.”
Balakrishnan, who was arrested in Lambeth, south London, in November last year, faces one count of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, one count of false imprisonment, 19 counts of indecent assault and four counts of rape.Balakrishnan, who was arrested in Lambeth, south London, in November last year, faces one count of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, one count of false imprisonment, 19 counts of indecent assault and four counts of rape.
The alleged offences relate to three women and span a period between January 1980 and October 2013, Scotland Yard said.The alleged offences relate to three women and span a period between January 1980 and October 2013, Scotland Yard said.
A 67-year-old woman, understood to be Balakrishnan’s wife, Chanda Pattni, was arrested with him in November last year.A 67-year-old woman, understood to be Balakrishnan’s wife, Chanda Pattni, was arrested with him in November last year.
In September, after 10 months on bail, she was told she would face no further action and was released without charge.In September, after 10 months on bail, she was told she would face no further action and was released without charge.