Carroll trial: Jury considering evidence

Nigel Carroll, who grew up in Halifax, has admitted breaking into the 70-year-old’s home a year ago, but he has insisted that someone else was responsible for the sex attack on the pensioner.

The complainant died a few months after the attack following an unrelated fall, but her video recorded interview with the police a few hours after her ordeal has been shown to the jury at Bradford Crown Court as part of the prosecution case.

Carroll, 53, of Wykebeck Avenue, Osmondthorpe, Leeds, has denied charges of attempted rape and sexual assault in relation to the attack on the pensioner.

He has also denied two further burglaries at homes in Birkenshaw and Leeds.

The prosecution has alleged hat Carroll has a sexual fetish for ladies tights and that tights were stolen from each of the burgled homes.

Earlier today (Tuesday) the jury heard closing speeches from prosecution and defence counsel and this afternoon the Recorder of Bradford Judge Roger Thomas QC summed up the case before sending out the jury to begin their deliberations at about 3.45pm.

After just half an hour the jury were brought back into court and sent home until tomorrow.

During his evidence to the jury Carroll said he had never seen the pensioner until he watched a DVD of her police interview last week.

He also denied having any sexual interest in ladies tights.

The trial continues.