by Julia Roberts

A former chairman of Sittingbourne Christmas Lights Association has vehemently denied allegations of sexual abuse involving 11 victims.

James Mitchell, of Invicta Road, Sheerness, told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court that the fact his father, Herbert, had twice been convicted of similar offences in the 1970s and 80s had "left an imprint" on his mind.

The 55-year-old also claimed that he himself had been the victim of abuse.

Under cross-examination from prosecutor Sarah Ellis, Mitchell explained how he avoided situations where he might be alone with children because he was "scared" of being accused in the same way his father was.

"All the abuse I went through as a kid, I didn't like to be left with anybody," he told the court. "I was abused myself and because I was abused I was probably more scared of kids."

Mitchell denies 14 offences of indecent assault, four of sexual activity with a child, two of indecency with a child, one of rape, one of gross indecency and 13 other serious sexual offences over a period of 40 years.

It is alleged Mitchell threatened to kill one boy if he told what was happening and described his alleged abuse of one girl as their "little game" and "little secret".

Another alleged victim claimed to have been threatened by Mitchell with a pair of scissors. "He told her if she screamed he would cut her throat," said Miss Ellis at the start of the trial.

But from the witness box today, Mitchell maintained his innocence.

"All I'm saying is that I did not do anything," he told the jury of seven women and five men. "It ain't true, it's not true. You (the prosecutor) cannot tell me I have done something when I haven't."

When challenged by Miss Ellis that the court had heard seven weeks of evidence contrary to Mitchell's denials, he replied: "And I have had 19-and-a-half months of hell over it."

As Mitchell continued to repeatedly dispute the allegations, Miss Ellis asked: "Are you, as a matter of principle, going to disagree with everything I put to you?", to which Mitchell replied: "I have got no choice."

"Nothing to do with the truth?" she retorted. "It is the truth," Mitchell maintained. "That's just it."

The trial continues.