Central News, Press Room, Central Criminal Court,

Central News, Press Room, Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, London, EC4.

Tel: 0171 236 0116.

(subbing queries 01424 718775)
Old Bailey/ Colin Fernandez

20 September 2000

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Richard Benson QC hit out at a headline in the Saturday’s edition of the Sun newspaper calling Edwards ‘a sex brute’, which he claims was very far from the mark.

Only one of the complainants had said Edwards hit her – Miss L – and there were no marks on her back.

He also told the jury that to convict Edwards ‘was like the million pound question in Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

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‘Sex brute.

That’s what they called Mr Edwards.

It’s words like that which spring to mind you hear the allegation rape.

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But in the end, Miss D’s case must be pretty weak, otherwise the Crown would not have trawled up five other witnesses to back her up, the court heard.

‘The only reason why you heard all of this evidence is because the prosecution say Miss D’s case does not hold enough water.

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‘Don’t confuse bad sex, or regretted sex or clumsy sex or careless sex with rape.

You have to be sure of guilt.

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‘You have to be so sure as you would be if you were sitting in front of Mr Chris Tarrant in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, answering the question that takes you up to a million pounds.

‘If any of you want to phone a friend, ask the audience or go 50-50 you would not be sure,’ Mr Benson said.

case continues.