Woman's tears over abuse claim (From Daily Echo)

Former council boss in court over alleged child abuse

11:00am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

A woman who claims she was sexually abused by a former Hampshire council boss more than 20 years ago told a court that she didn’t report it because she was afraid of getting into trouble.

Wiping away tears, the woman claimed what she was subjected to at the hands of Robert Giddings when she was eight and nine felt “horrible” and “uncomfortable”.

She also told the jury that she was sorry for not coming forward about her abuse earlier, after the court heard Giddings was first cautioned by police 22 years ago over an accusation of trying to grab another young girl.

Giddings, now 54, who lives in Ringwood, is on trial for four charges of indecent assault on three girls under the age of 14, during the 1980s and 1990s. He denies all the charges.

In the witness box, the second victim to give evidence in the trial started to cry as she recounted the numerous occasions she claims she was indecently touched by Giddings.

Proceeding.