A final summary of the evidence in the trial of Nicholas Crawshaw has been provided by the judge.
Judge Tina Landale urged the jury to bear in mind the evidence of all the witnesses in the case.
Crawshaw, of West Street, Hoole, is accused of 16 sex offences, including 10 rapes, against seven victims between 2010 and 2015. He denies all of the charges against him.
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Judge Landale opened her summary by setting out her legal directions to the jury.
She said: “Remember you are the judges of the facts, my area is of the law.
“Mr Crawshaw does not have to prove his innocence, it is up to the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”
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The judge also told the jury to leave behind any ‘misconceptions’ about how people respond to sexual crimes.
Judge Landale said: “Experience tells the court there’s no stereotype for a rape, or a rapist, or a victim of rape.
“Different people will react in lots of different ways. We know now there’s no general way to behave when someone is subjected to a sexual assault.”
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She also told the jury that while the prosecution has cited similarities in Crawshaw’s pattern of behaviour towards women in evidence given independently by the victims, they must be sure the complainants did not ‘get together’ before they take this into account.
The judge then proceeded to outline the routes to verdict and the key questions the jury must consider before they come to a decision.
These include whether the incidents took place and, in relation to the sixth and seven complainants, whether Crawshaw could reasonably believe he had consent.
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Judge Landale said: “You’ve heard from a number of victims in this case, please bear in mind all of their evidence.”
She proceeded to read out a summary of the accounts provided by witnesses in relation to each complainant.
These included the alleged victims themselves as well as their friends and family.
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The judge also gave Crawshaw’s version of events and the evidence given by his family.
Judge Landale is expected to conclude her summary of the evidence tomorrow, when the jury will retire to make their decision.
The trial at Warrington Crown Court continues.
