A former Plymouth-based criminal defence solicitor is alleged to have sexually assaulted a number of his clients at Charles Cross police station and at Plymouth Magistrates' Court, a jury has been told.

Alan Harris, 71, from Thorn Park in Plymouth, faces 30 charges at his trial which began in today at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire. He denies all the charges.

Prosecutor Anne Whyte KC told the 14-strong jury of 10 men and four women - later reduced to 12 jurors following the opening - that Harris spent his working life as a criminal solicitor in Plymouth and as such came into contact with "hundreds" of people over the years charged with or suspected of criminal offences.

She said it was his job to represent them regardless of their wrongdoing, ensuring they were treated fairly within

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