A jury will likely retire today to consider whether an 88-year-old former Scout leader is guilty of the sexual abuse of six young boys between the 1970s and 1990s.
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Martinus Nicholas Hulsman has been on trial for the last week in the Supreme Court in Burnie charged with a range of child sexual offences including persistent sexual abuse of a child and a number of indecent assault charges.
Over four days in the court last week the jury heard six complainants allege that Mr Hulsman would sexually interfere with them when they were young.
The jury heard that five of the six complainants were Scouts, and Mr Hulsman was their Scout leader at the time.
Defence lawyer Kirsten Abercromby suggested to some of the complainants that they had fabricated their allegations, though they each denied that.
Two of the complainants who are brothers denied they had ever discussed the allegations with each other in any great detail.
The alleged victims told the court that during Scout camping trips Mr Hulsman invited them, individually, into his tent where he would sexually abuse them.
One of the men, now 58-years-old, broke down in tears as he described being abused by his Scout master.
"I didn't believe it myself. This is my Scout master. Someone in authority. Someone you're supposed to honour and respect," he said.
Another complainant said he felt ashamed after being abused, and had many "sleepless nights".
"I was afraid Mr Hulsman was going to come around to my house and get into my bedroom," he said.
One complainant only told his own wife about five years ago, when she suggested their son join Scouts, and he refused.
In her closing address, Ms Abercromby said there were details in each of the complainants' evidence that she said should "greatly concern" the jury, and prevent them from finding guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Michael Brett indicated he would finish his summary of the trial later this morning and the jury are then expected to retire to consider their verdict on each of the charges.
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