Sheffield man accused of sexually assaulting vulnerable women says they 'gave consent'

Dean Chambers, of Green Oak Road, Totley, is on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of with eight sexual offences against four women said to have occurred between 2015/2016, including assault and sexual touching.

The court has previously been told how Chambers’ alleged victims had problems with mental illness, came from abusive backgrounds ­and had ‘generally unstable lives’.

In opening the case prosecutor Ian Goldsack told the court that Chambers, 49, was ‘in the habit of frequenting areas where people with vulnerabilities these females had, could be found, for example soup kitchens or projects that help people with these sort of difficulties’.

But in his closing speech, defence barrister Francis Edusei told the jury that while Chambers behaviour may at times have been ‘bizarre’ and ‘immature’ he had helped his alleged victims out when they were in need - and had never forced sexual contact on them.

He added that while the alleged victims may have been ‘vulnerable’ that this did not affect their ability to agree to sexual activity with Chambers.

Mr Edusei said: “They are people who suffer from alcoholism.

“They are people on the margins of the community, but just because they are vulnerable doesn’t mean they can’t consent like adults - because they can.”

Mr Edusei also told the court how Chambers told the police he had consensual sexual contact with three of the alleged victims a year before any of the allegations had been made.

He said: “So unless he had a crystal ball, how did he know the line of investigation the police would take? [He told them] because he was telling the truth.”

Chambers denies the eight sexual offences he is on trial for. The jury is due to go out in this case later today.