The defendant in the ongoing indecent assault trial took the stand at Douglas Courthouse this afternoon and strongly denied all 12 charges against him.

He said the complainant and others had concocted the allegations between them to try and ruin his life, echoing what he told police when interviewed on the matter early last year.

When asked about events not specifically relating to the alleged abuse, which had been described by prosecution witnesses, the defendant either said they hadn't happened or he had no recollection of them.

He said when he was arrested in January last year and taken in for questioning he was godsmacked and said the allegations were a shock, adding they weren't true in any way.

Edward Oldham reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

When cross-examined on possible discrepancies between what he had told officers last year and what he said now, the defendant told the court it had been difficult to recall some things at such short notice when interviewed last year, as they had taken place so long ago

He also denied certain aspects of his testimony were made up to suit his overall version of events and finished by again flatly denying all the allegations.

Evidence was concluded by the end of this afternoon's session and the trial will resume tomorrow with summing-up from prosecution and defence.

It's thought the jurors will retire on Monday morning to consider their verdicts.

(Picture: Douglas Courthouse, where the trial is taking place).