Mother defends sons accused of sex abuse

AN elderly woman has told a court she had no suspicions about the behaviour of her sons, who are accused of historic sex abuse.

Paul and Conrad Fraser deny molesting girls as young as seven in attacks alleged to have happened between 1975 and 1986.

Their 81-year-old mother Margaret gave evidence at the High Court in Livingston yesterday.

Paul Fraser, 49, denies four charges of indecent assault and one of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards three girls.

His brother Conrad, 50, denies two allegations of indecent assault against two of the same girls. The charges all relate to offences which are alleged to have taken place when the accused were teenagers.

The court heard closing speeches from both the prosecution and defence yesterday. The jury was being asked to reach a verdict today.