A BASINGSTOKE psychiatrist accused of being a sex addict who raped or indecently assaulted eight women over several years, refused repeatedly at his trial to say how many patients he had been involved in sexual relationships with.

Prosecution counsel Charles Gabb, cross-examining Christopher Allison at Winchester Crown Court, asked the 60- year-old about sexual relationships with two women patients before saying: "Did you have a sexual relationship with any other patient?"

"Yes," replied Allison, who was then asked: "How many?

"I am not prepared to answer that," said Allison.

Mr Gabb then told Allison: "This is your opportunity. You know how the Crown put this case against you. You used these women time and again for your own sexual desires. Now tell us how many others did you have sexual relations with?"

Again Allison replied: "I am not prepared to answer that."

Allison gave this response each time counsel asked him the same question.

Earlier in his evidence-in-chief, Allison had repeatedly denied the prosecution's allegations that he had sexually assaulted vulnerable women patients in incidents said to have occurred when he was based in Canterbury, Kent, and later in Basingstoke.

Allison also denied suggestions from Mr Gabb that he himself was vulnerable because of his "overwhelming desire for sex", and refuted allegations that he had lied in the case.

Judge Patrick Hooton has told the jury that two charges of rape and two of indecent assault against Allison have been dropped.

Allison (pictured), a married man formerly of Skippets Lane West, Basingstoke, and now living in Suffolk, has pleaded not guilty to five allegations of rape, one of attempted rape and 12 of indecent assault, involving eight women - two of them patients in Basingstoke.

The trial continues.