Thread by @bbcsimonwarr

I’m back at Newcastle Crown Court tweeting live from the press gallery at the #CarlBeech trial.

Defence barrister on his feet. Promises to be much briefer than the Prosecutor was yesterday.

Defence counsel: ‘I am not here to convince you black is white.’

‘You have to be sure that when Beech made his complaints he did so honestly. He alleges the events happened.

Even if you think the events he described to the police are false, you have to be certain he deliberately lied. He could have had it in his mind that the events did occur

‘We, the defence, don't have to prove he did think this, the prosecution has to prove he didn't.’

‘The police's decision not to pursue Beech's allegations does not mean the complainant was therefore necessarily telling lies. Their decision was based on lack of evidence, which is different from Beech lying.’

‘Just because he has already been found guilty of some disgusting crimes does not mean he is now guilty of perverting the course of justice.’

‘It is dangerous to follow the prosecution's submission that he has been able to describe disgusting sexual abuse because he is a paedophile.

We submit he could describe these acts because he is a victim of these crimes.’

‘Beech pleaded guilty to those crimes he has committed. He was honest in owning up.

Base your decisions on the evidence presented, not on any pre-conceived ideas.’

‘Just because Beech was photographed smiling on a childhood holiday, this does not mean he wasn't being abused.

Just because he wrote 'Nurse Nurse' fiction, this has no bearing on whether or not he is telling the truth about his childhood abuse.’

‘He was perfectly entitled to 'No comment' interviews.

You must not draw adverse inference from this.

When facing very serious allegations, it is perfectly natural to be cautious.’

‘To suggest just because someone flees justice he must be guilty, is erroneous. People - innocent and guilty- panic. It’s a perfectly natural reaction.

In the NHS & Quality Care Commission, this man held responsible positions. Why would he suddenly make these outrageous claims?’

‘Beech did have cash flow problems but they were not serious debts.

In May 2013 he was told the investigation was over. It took him four months to request a crime number.’

‘He made no claims re physical injuries. If he was so desperate for money, why didn't he claim for these? A reasonable claim, the defence suggests.

The defence rejects the prosecution's claim that these allegations were propelled for financial reasons.’

‘A propos the Mustang - you can't just walk in to a showroom and purchase such a car, you have to plan ahead.

That Jimmy Savile was interested in only girls, as the prosecution suggested, is inaccurate.’

‘It's not odd that he mentioned no names in his blog as he could well have faced libel charges if he did.

His blogs attracted the interest of Exaro and Tom Watson, an M.P.

Beech didn't go to the police. Mark Conrad at Exaro made contact with them.’

‘Beech didn't ever ask for money for cooperation with journalists or appearing on TV. Does this sound like someone who is financially greedy?

Would you put yourself through what Beech has undergone for the sake of pecuniary advancement?’

‘He even tried to withdraw from the investigation at one point. Does this suggest a man greedy for compensation?

Ray Beech was a violent man, which is why his marriage to Carl Beech's mother was so short lived.

Ray was sent to a hospital for psychiatric assessment.’

‘Carl and his mother move from Bicester to Kingston in Surrey (late 70s).

Dawn Beech received a letter a few years later from Carl who informs her that he had been sexually abused by his step father, Ray.’

[We’re back in court after a short break at the #CarlBeech trial]

Defence counsel resumes his closing speech to the jury.

Defence is looking at Beech's school records.

‘During 1980 when he was 12 years old he was absent 10 times. This is consistent with his allegations.

As he got older, it was easier to 'bunk off'.

He was rude to teachers and disruptive at school, which seems to suggest underlying problems.’

‘In 2010 he separated from his wife and in 2012 his marriage came to an end. Beech claimed he needed counselling.

His fears were coming back to haunt him.

He started having flashbacks.’

‘By 2012 there is little doubt that Beech is experiencing a nervous breakdown.

Bicester, 'where step father abused him' seems to be central to this.’

‘Did the incident of the child, Beech's friend, being hit by a car, happen in Bicester or Kingston? Some confusion in mind of the investigating officer.’

‘Beech gave consent for details of his counselling to be relayed to police.

In 2016 Beech was still undergoing counselling. No need to maintain these sessions for so long if he has been telling lies.’

‘In May 2016 Beech burnt all his notebooks after he learned Operation Midland was ceasing. Why is this so odd?

People do things like this. It is not necessarily sinister. They were simply no longer needed.’

‘Beech told police he didn't know names of his abusers because he didn't want, at that stage, this line of questioning pursued.’

Defence Counsel is now taking the jury through the various abuse allegations.

‘His testimonies to Wiltshire police and then to the Met, in terms of sequence, were consistent. Although to the Wiltshire police he wouldn't give names, but he did to the Met.

Core allegations were consistent, although to Wiltshire police there was no mention of child murders.’

‘What was the reason? It was not easy to talk about.

‘Beech's research into London locations was at a time when he was dealing with Exaro, a long time before he made official complaints to the police.’

‘If Beech lied about murders to gain compensation, why did he involve people, like Harvey Proctor, who are still alive? Why not select dead people? Much easier for him.’

Defence counsel mentions Harvey Proctor's 1979 conviction.

‘Proctor did have connections with the Carlton Club and Dolphin Square.’

‘Edward Heath and Leon Britton were both members of the Carlton Club. Just because Grenville Janner was not a member, this doesn't mean he was not a visitor on occasions.’

‘Harvey Proctor's partner made reference to three dead bodies to the police on the day of Proctor's arrest.

One has to be careful of Harvey Proctor's evidence.

Boys can vanish without trace.’

‘Even if these murders didn't happen, can you be sure Carl Beech did not believe they did occur?

Was Edward Heath always closely protected? He moved around without close protection when it suited him, the defence alleges.’

‘Memory can be affected by both traumatic events and by the passage of time.

That's why the allegations are vague and inconsistent.’

‘Military dignitaries have told the Court that, even though there were IRA threats in the late 70s, security at military camps in those days was not as tight as it is today.’

[Court rises for lunch break. More live tweets this afternoon.]