The man known as “Nick” whose claims prompted a multimillion-pound Scotland Yard investigation into an alleged VIP abuse ring in Westminster is a “committed and manipulative paedophile”, a court has heard.
Carl Beech is accused of falsely alleging he was among victims of a group of politicians and senior figures in the military and intelligence services that he claimed raped and murdered boys in the 1970s and 80s.
Now it has emerged in court that Beech is a convicted paedophile who, at the same time as he was claiming to police to be a victim of abuse, viewed indecent images of young boys and covertly recorded a child using the toilet.
The 51-year-old former nurse – known widely under the pseudonym “Nick” – concealed the material on a secret calculator app on his iPad, Newcastle crown court heard. When questioned by police about the images and footage, Beech lied to investigators and sought to frame his teenage son for the crime, jurors were told.
Beech initially pleaded not guilty to the indecent image offences before switching his plea and accepting he was responsible.
Tony Badenoch QC, prosecuting, told the jury: “The evidence … demonstrates that Carl Beech is a committed and manipulative paedophile, capable of deceit to investigators and limitless manipulation when required, including if necessary, framing his own son.”
The previous conviction surfaced on Wednesday in court, where the prosecution was continuing to outline its opening case. Beech faces 12 counts of perverting the course of justice from December 2012 to March 2016 and one count of fraud over a £22,000 criminal compensation payout.
The charges, which he denies, include that he made a false allegation of witnessing the murder of a child by the former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor. Beech is also alleged to have lied about claiming to have witnessed the murder of two other children. Others he accused of abuse included the former prime minister Edward Heath, the former home secretary Leon Brittan, Field Marshal Lord Bramall and Jimmy Savile. Bramall’s wife died without knowing her husband was to face no further action, the court has been told.
The trial, which is expected to last up to three months, continues.
