A man has gone on trial at Aberdeen High Court, accused of 19 historic charges of sexual misconduct against underage boys in Dundee and Fife.
John Smith is alleged to have performed sexual activities on boys, touched them inappropriately, and forced them to view pornographic material after intoxicating them with alcohol.
The charges are said to have started in July 1985 and finished in March 2002 at two properties in Dundee, one in Newport on Tay and at a caravan park elsewhere in Fife.
During the course of the seven-day trial, the jury heard from a total of ten of Smith’s alleged victims.
Several claimed he gave them money in order not to tell anyone what had happened and also described waking up in bed to discover him performing sexual acts on them.
They also described being lulled into properties through the promise of alcohol, a stereo system and darts.
While giving evidence, Smith claimed he did not own a caravan at the site in question while some of the alleged offences were said to have taken place.
As well as the ten men who gave evidence, a man whom Smith is alleged to have indecently assaulted on one occasion between March 2001 and March 2002 died earlier this year.
So the jurors heard from the police officer who took his statement.
Advocate depute James Keegan urged the jury of eight men and seven women to convict Smith of all the charges.
He said: “If you look at the evidence in this case, you will be left with a picture of a sly sexual predator.”
He also said one man, named by several of the victims, had been used as an “artful dodger” to put him in touch with “young vulnerable boys.”
However, representing the 65-year-old, defence counsel Neil Beardmore said the jury had to be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that his client was guilty.
He said that as some of the victims knew each other, it was implausible that they would not have issued a warning.
He added: “The accused gave evidence, if you believe him or anything he said provides you with a reasonable doubt, you are duty bound to acquit him.”
Smith, of Denbrae Cottages in Logie, Fife, denies all the charges against him.
The trial, before Lord Burns, continues.
