Derek Easton is charged on five separate counts relating to the abduction and rape of minors by an escaped prisoner with mental health issues. Statements relating to the crimes are heard, with Easton pleading not guilty to any involvement.
Novelist Derek Easton is accused of harbouring escaped psychopath John Bright and aiding and abetting him to commit rapes by supplying drugs used to subdue the victims. He had met Bright while on a voluntary stay in a psychiatric hospital and the Prosecution claim the two became strong friends. Easton denies the charges. He says he did not know Bright was a serious sexual offender, did not know he was on the run and did not assist him with the rape offenses.—Alan Briscoe