A school health and welfare officer and former Army Cadet leader accused of sexually abusing 11 teenage girls denied all the allegations levelled against him, including rape, when he appeared in court on Tuesday.
Neil Clarke Beckett was called to give evidence at his trial at Belfast Crown Court, where he rejected a suggestion that he used his position of “power and authority” to “prey” on children.
He has been accused of, and has denied, a total of 29 charges spanning over a period from 2013 and 2023.
These charges consist of one count of rape, one count of sexual communication with a child, one count of sexual grooming and 26 counts of sexual assault.
Now in its fourth week, the 43-year old father-of-one, from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, was called to the witness stand where he swore on a Bible to tell the truth.
His barrister Laura Ievers KC questioned Beckett about all of the allegations made against him by two former Army Cadets and nine pupils from Lagan College.
The jury heard evidence from a former Army Cadet who claimed she was sexually assaulted and raped by Beckett in her home when she was aged around 14.
This complainant said that this occurred when she was off school sick and that Beckett - who at the time was an Army Cadet leader - called at her home with coffee.
She said that after forcing his way into her home, Beckett then forced himself on her in her living room.
She also claimed that after raping her, Beckett threatened her and her family and that she believed his threat as he had access to guns.
When questioned about this alleged incident by Mrs Ievers, the accused denied calling at her house and said “I didn’t know where she lived.”
He denied calling to her home with coffee and when the barrister said “she has alleged that you raped her, what do you say about that?”, Beckett replied “that did not happen.”
He also denied allegations made by a second Army Cadet, which included claims that he abused her during a training exercise.
Beckett was also asked by his barrister about numerous claims made by teenage pupils who have all given evidence.
These include allegations that Beckett, whilst occupying the position of health and welfare officer at Lagan College, hugged them, kissed them and touched their breasts, bottoms and thighs.
He was asked about a specific allegation regarding a pupil who claimed Beckett lifted her up in a fireman’s lift.
After telling the jury he had been diagnosed with a condition called Kienbock’s disease which affects his arms and wrist and showing them the casts he wears on both arms, Beckett said he didn’t lift her up as she alleged.
When asked about other alleged incidents such as hugging and kissing pupils or touching their thighs, he replied with responses such as “that’s not true” or “that did not happen.”
He was also cross-examined by Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor KC who accused him of using his positions within both the Army Cadets and the school to “prey” on children.
Asked about the raft of allegations made against him, Beckett said he “disagreed” adding they are “not telling the truth, they are lying.”
At hearing