14/11/2012

Alleged Abuse Victim Suffered From Depression

The trial of a former Ulster and Ireland rugby player has been told one of the alleged victims suffered from depression.

David Tweed is accused of abusing two young girls, both now adults, on a number of occasions over an eight-year period.

The accused is a former Ireland and Ulster player, but is also a Traditional Unionist Voice councillor in Ballymena.

The case has been proceeding for some time, but restrictions preventing the story being reported were only lifted yesterday.

Today one of the women said she had kept her secret for years.

"I didn't want to believe it. I suffered from depression and got counselling. I didn't want to talk about it."

She said she eventually started to write down the alleged abuse, and later went to a solicitor.

"If I had my way, I wouldn't want to remember any of it, but I have,” she added.

The alleged victim has been cross-examined by the defence counsel at Antrim Crown Court.

The court heard how one of the women made a complaint at Coleraine police station in 2007.

However, the judge’s request for clarification led to his being told that no such record could be found, despite a detailed and extensive search.

The woman, known currently as X, said she didn’t mention the alleged abuse in a statement as she was worried how her future husband would react. She also said she didn’t want her family and friends to know.

The trial continues.

(IT)

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