A man has appeared in court charged with making false claims of non-recent child sexual abuse and murder against establishment figures. The defendant, who is not being named for legal reasons, is known publicly by the pseudonym ‘Nick.’
He appeared in custody at Newcastle Crown Court, which was sitting as a magistrates’ court, and spoke only to provide his name, date of birth, and address.
'Nick,' 50, who wore brown trousers and a blue jumper over a white shirt, was remanded in custody to appear at the same court - sitting as a crown court - on 19 November.
Prosecutors say 'Nick' falsely told police he was abused as a child in the 1970s and 1980s by senior people in public life - and that he falsely claimed he witnessed the murders of three young boys.
Those he accused of abuse included former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, former Home Secretary Lord Brittan, and former head of the armed forces Lord Bramall.
'Nick' is charged with 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one count of fraud. One charge says he made a false allegation of witnessing the child homicide of an unnamed boy committed by former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor
