A MAN accused of historical sexual and indecent assaults on children in South Cumbria has appeared in front of a judge.
Anthony John Pickering, 58, faced a total of 17 charges at Carlisle Crown Court this afternoon (WED).
Two of these alleges serious sexual assaults on children, while 15 allege that Pickering indecently assaulted youngsters.
Five different children are named in the charges, which arise out of alleged incidents said to have occurred during the 1970s and 1980s.
During a short hearing in front of Recorder Eric Lamb, Pickering – dressed in jeans and a light blue tracksuit top – pleaded not guilty to all 17 charges.
He is now due to stand trial at the crown court in front of a jury. This is expected to start on July 13 and, it is estimated, will last around a week.
Pickering, formerly of Claife Avenue, Windermere, was reminded to co-operate with the preparation of a statement setting out his defence to the respective allegations.
In the meantime he was was remanded in custody by Recorder Lamb.
