TWO Derry men went on trial at Belfast Crown Court yesterday accused of sexually abusing two young boys. Mr John David Harkin (21) and Mr Joseph Gerard Lewis (49) deny seven charges of sexual abuse against two teenagers in the Creggan area of the city between 1990 and 1993.
Mr Harkin, from the Creggan, faces four charges of sexually abusing and buggering one 12-year-old when he himself was aged 16. With Mr Lewis, he is accused of indecently assaulting another 13-year-old. Mr Lewis, from Lislane Drive, is charged with indecently assault and buggery on one of the alleged victims.
Mr Justice Sheil heard that some of the attacks took place in the home of Mr Lewis's ex-wife and that during one attack Mr Lewis allegedly threatened to stab his victim if he didn't stop crying. The court heard that, when interviewed by police, Mr Lewis denied sexually abusing the boy, while Mr Harkin allegedly said he remembered a boy being abused in Mr Lewis's ex-wife's home by a man he did not know, but that he himself was not involved. The trial continues today.