Former BBC presenter: Photography of boys in uniform was not sexual - Evening Standard

Ex-BBC Norfolk and former Radio Clyde broadcaster Michael Souter is standing trial after pleading not guilty to a series of historic sex attacks on boys.

Jurors have heard that hundreds of pictures of boys in shorts and uniform were found on his computer along with a small number of indecent images of children.

Asked by prosecutor Andrew Shaw why he had taken the pictures, Souter told Norwich Crown Court that he had an interest in shorts and uniforms which was a hobby similar to stamp collecting.

He added: "The kit was smart, it worked nicely with the colour combinations.

"They were asked to pose but there was never any sexual interest whatsoever.

"The whole point of me taking pictures is people adopt poses that suit them - if there was any provocative pose, it was not at my suggestion."

Souter told the court he carries a camera with him everywhere he goes and would take pictures of everything from "autumn leaves to street scenes", adding that the pictures of boys represented only a small number of his collection.

Witnesses have told the court Souter asked them to dress in Scout uniform and football kit for photographs while they were aged under 16.

Mr Shaw asked Souter why he had "shredding" software installed on his computer, which can be used to destroy files.

Souter replied: "I think any sane person has shredding software on their computer.

"If somebody sends me an image that is indecent or illegal against my will, I would shred it."

The 60-year-old, of Loddon, Norfolk, denies 19 sex offences, including indecent assault, indecency with a child and serious sexual offences, against seven boys aged between 11 and 16.

The allegations date from between 1979 and 1999.

Souter, who was also involved in the Scouts and a social services youth mentoring scheme, also denies a further nine counts of making and possessing indecent images of under-18s.

He presented a number of shows for BBC Radio Norfolk from its launch in 1980 until the 1990s.

Prosecutors claim he used his local celebrity and position of trust to engage boys in sexual activity.

Originally from Scotland, he worked as a producer and presenter in both commercial and BBC radio since the mid-1970s. He had previously presented for Radio Clyde.

Since 1989 he has worked as a freelance broadcaster and runs a media relations consultancy.

In 2008 he moved to Spain where he worked for a radio station in Marbella.