The mother of a man accused of child abuse at a children's home has claimed she cuddled one of his alleged victims after hearing about the sexual attacks.

Her son, Michael Raine, 36, said the woman he allegedly abused weekly when she was nine or slightly older wished him a happy New Year two months before she went to the police.

Raine, also known as Donald Raine, denies two charges of indecent assault against the woman and one of indecency with a second, older woman.

All the offences are alleged to have occurred about 20 years ago when the women were young girls resident at the now-closed National Children's Home in Harrogate and the Raine family were living in staff quarters there.

Giving evidence in her son's defence, Isabelle Raine claimed the younger woman called at her house and told her that Michael Raine had abused her when she lived at the children's home.

"She said it wasn't bad," alleged Mrs Raine.

"Before she left (Mrs Raine's house) I gave her a cuddle because I actually felt compassion for her. She told how she had fled previous partners and she was trying to make a life for herself."

She denied she had ever made the younger woman sleep on the floor as a punishment.

Michael Raine, of Swinton Court, Harrogate, claimed he had never abused either woman sexually.

He alleged the younger woman swore at him in a pub incident in August 1996 and shortly afterwards told a friend he had sexually abused her.

But at midnight on December 31, 1996, she wished him a happy New Year when they met by chance in another pub.

"I was stunned," he said.

York Crown Court has heard the woman went to the police in February 1997. She denies any meeting on New Year's Eve.

The jury was expected to retire to consider its verdict today.

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