Soldier facing historic sex abuse claims

An ex-soldier has denied committing a string of sex attacks on three girls more than 40 years ago.
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Paul Musto, 63, of Jeffrey Lane, Doncaster, faces one charge of rape, one charge of attempted rape and 11 charges of indecent assault, with some of the alleged offences taking place at an address in Weeton.

The soldier turned publican is on trial at Preston Crown Court.

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Musto, who is believed to have served in the Gloucestershire Regiment, is alleged to have committed the attacks on three girls.

He is accused of rape and four counts of indecent assault on the first girl, attempting to rape a second girl, against whom he is accused of six indecent assaults, and an indecent assault on a third girl.

One of the alleged victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, gave evidence from behind a screen.

Prosecuting, Paul Cummings asked the woman why she had not confided in anyone at the time.

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She replied: “By the time I had realised it wasn’t right, it seemed a bit like I should have said something sooner to be believed, and then obviously there’s the consequences of other people finding out or judging me, or actions people might have taken as a result of what had happened.

“I didn’t want to be responsible for events that could possibly occur.”

Giving evidence, Musto’s ex wife told police she had recalled rumours he had ‘tried to have a relationship’’ with one of the girls who is the subject of some of the allegations, before the couple had had children.

(Proceeding)

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