One of the complainants in a historic sexual abuse case involving a member of the "Bolton 7" has been questioned on his relationship with the man in question.

Norman Williams is on trial accused of sexual abuse of three boys from the mid 1990s to the early 2000s.

Against the first complainant he is accused of three counts of rape and nine counts of indecent assault.

He is also accused of four counts of indecent assault, three of rape and one of actual bodily harm against the second complainant.

And against the third complainant he is accused of one indecent assault.

The first complainant said he had been “sexually abused from the ages of 12 to 16” when he spoke to the police about this.

And he was questioned on his evidence by defence barrister Colin Buckle.

He was asked why he returned to the home of the man he said was abusing him.

He said: “That is a question I have struggled with for 20 years.

“It just became a necessary evil.”

He said Williams had given him things he was unable to get elsewhere.

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He was asked whether consensual sexual activity had taken place between the two men after he turned 16.

He said: "Based on what I am aware of about consent I disagree."

He added: “I do not recall any sexual activity after the age of 16.

"At no point did I ever ever wish to have sexual relationships with Mr Williams."

But when later asked if there were consensual relations between them after he turned 16 he said: “It is entirely possible but I do not recall.”

He was later questioned about the police coming to the home in relation to the "Bolton 7" case.

The complainant had said in his interview to the police Williams has told him he was involved a case of homosexual sexual activity with a 16 year old which went to the European Court of Human Rights.

Mr Buckle said: “The Bolton 7 were in this court, they were convicted of sexual offences.

“Did Mr Williams tell you about it?”

He said he had shown him a programme on TV which featured the case.

He said the police visited the home as Williams was on the sex offenders register.

But Mr Buckle asked why he did not tell officers.

He said: “It was after that he showed us the video, it was part about being a miscarriage of justice.”

Williams, 58, of Leigh Road, Atherton, denies all the charges he faces.

He claims there were consensual relationships with the first two complainants when they were above the age of 16 and that nothing happened with the third complainant.

The trial, before Judge John Close, continues.