Mark Page, a Radio One employee in the 1980s is being tried for five counts of arranging a child sex offense. He denies these charges.
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Mark Page arrives in court on February 20, 2022
The jury in the trial of an ex-Radio One DJ who is accused of child sex offences was asked to consider Jimmy Savile when judging the defendant’s good character.
Mark Page, a station worker in the 1980s and 1990s, denies five counts for arranging the commission a child sexual offence.
Page, a 63 years-old divorcing father-of-3, from Ingleby Barwick on Teesside is charged with three offences using a webcam which linked his home in Teesside to the Philippines in 2016.
Another two offenses were alleged to have been committed when he was said to be traveling to that country. This was after he established a successful radio station to support the armed forces.
Page, a former match announcer for Middlesbrough FC, has not been convicted, organizes fundraising events and the defense at Teesside Crown Court was read a series character references.
Jo Kidd (prosecution) said Page could not be accused of these crimes because she was well-regarded by her family and friends.
She stated: “Some of you may be old enough to remember Jim’ll Fix It.
“You will remember watching It’s A Knockout.
“You will remember revelling in the size of Gary Glitter’s shoes.
“They were people who were spoken highly of, even people who were knighted by the Queen.”
She stated that there was almost no a “state funeral”Savile with his golden coffin, taken through Leeds.
Ms. Kidd continued: “I am not saying this on the basis that just because Mr Page was a Radio One DJ, that it makes him guilty of these offences.
“But it is worth noting, when one puts on a public face, when one carries out charity work, it does not mean the underbelly of their sexual depravity is not real.”
She said Page frequently travelled to the Philippines, and phone and Skype accounts – as well as Western Union payments, were “compelling evidence”He was the one who committed these crimes.
Trevor Burke, QC, the defending party, stated that the reference to Savile would not help the jury.
He said: “What on earth the prosecution feel they can achieve by inviting you, as a jury, to compare and contrast him with Jimmy Savile, I have not the first idea.
“It should never have been suggested and you will ignore it, it doesn’t help you at all.”
Mr Burke said such comments could fuel Page’s feelings that there was some kind of witch-hunt against him.
Page previously stated to the jury that his accounts were hacked.
The trial continues.
