Man denies sexually assaulting boys

Garry Hoodless, 41, said the allegations against him were “disgusting” at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday).

The court heard that he sexually assaulted two boys he babysat for in the late 1980s when he was a teenager. He is also accused of abusing another boy in the early 1990s.

Hoodless, who was living in Birstall at the time, denies 20 counts of sexual offences against the boys, including buggery, indecent assault on a male and indecency with a child.

The father of three, now of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, told today how he had suffered for 19 months due to the allegations.

Andrew Kershaw, prosecuting, said: “The reason this case is being brought against you is because you harmed all three of these boys.”

He put it to Hoodless that he seriously sexually assaulted the two boys repeatedly, and molested the other boy around four years later.

“No, that didn’t happen at all,” Hoodless said.

Mr Kershaw went on: “If it was a complete pack of lies what will [the two boys] gain?”

“Noting,” said Hoodlees.

He told the court that the other alleged victim, now 35, was bringing up the allegations to get “control”.

Hoodless was also accused of bullying the boy, who was several years younger than him, into not saying anything at the time.

Hoodless, describing himself as “soft”, said: “I never bullied anybody when I was younger.”

Mr Kershaw asked him about an incident when the boy was going to tell someone that he had been abused.

Hoodless said the boy was making it up. He added: “I pinned him up against a wall and said ‘pack it in.’”

Mr Kershaw said: “You used physical force against him. You threatened him.”

Addressing why the allegations were being brought to light now, Mr Kershaw said: “These are deliberately fabricated lies that are being made against you?”

“Definitely,” answered Hoodless.

“It hurts me,” he added. I have had to suffer for 19 for months this.

“It just makes me angry. I can’t even talk to the kids about it.

“All I want to do is cry because it’s disgusting.”

In his defence, Hoodless said he suffered from a problem which made him sexually aroused at inappropriate times, which he said he was “ashamed” about.

The trial continues.