THE trial of a pensioner who has denied a string of child sex offences in Worcester in the late 1970s and early 80s could not go ahead as planned.

Lawrence Kember, who has pleaded not guilty to all 14 counts, was due to stand trial on Monday at Worcester Crown Court.

However, due to the unavailability of witnesses, the trial could not proceed as planned.

An administrative 'mention' hearing will take place next Wednesday (May 19) to expedite the case.

The new trial date has yet to be agreed between the court and legal counsel. The defendant was excused attendance at this next hearing and granted bail on the same terms as before.

We have previously reported how he denied all the charges when they were formally put to him last July at Worcester Crown Court.

The 74-year-old of Malvern, was asked to confirm his name before the charges were put to him on that occasion.

He denied five counts of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child and two of sexual intercourse with a child against the first complainant who was under 13 at the time.

These offences are alleged to have happened between February 6, 1979 and September 3, 1984. One of the indecent assault counts (count six on the indictment) specifies that Kember carried out the assaults ‘on at least three occasions’.

One of the sexual intercourse counts (count nine) also says the offence took place ‘on at least four occasions’.

He further denied three counts of indecent assault and two of attempted sexual intercourse against a child under the age of 13 in relation to a second complainant.

These offences are alleged by the prosecution to have taken place between July 30, 1979 and September 4, 1984. Both complainants have been video interviewed which is expected to form part of the case when it is heard by a jury.