16 sex charges of man aged 81

FACING trial: James Fairclough

AN 81-year-old man has appeared in court charged with 16 counts of sexually abusing a young girl.

James Fairclough, formerly of Chepstow but now of Harewood Drive, Royton, made a brief appearance at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday and was released on bail pending a trial beginning on February 13, next year.

The pensioner denies the charges which include nine of assault by sexual touching, five of assault by penetration and two of sexual activity with a minor.

All the offences are said to have taken place between 2005 and 2010 when the girl was aged between three and nine.