A trial is under way for a March retired company director who faces 11 historic paedophile charges after a jury failed to reach a majority verdict last year.

Cambs Times: Retired company director Allan Hammond, of March, accused the Cambs Times of making up the story and sent this letter to all of his neighbours in Steeple View. PHOTO: SubmittedRetired company director Allan Hammond, of March, accused the Cambs Times of making up the story and sent this letter to all of his neighbours in Steeple View. PHOTO: Submitted (Image: Archant)

Allan Hammond, of Steeple View, was found guilty of one charge of making indecent images on his computer in a three month period in 2014 during his first trial in October 2017.

However, a new jury has now been sworn in to listen to the remaining child sexual assault charges, which include charges of rape and buggery.

One on a girl who was just eight years old.

When he was first charged, he sent a letter to all of his neighbours in the quiet cul de sac where he lives, accusing the Cambs Times newspaper of making it up.

Cambs Times: Retired company director Allan Hammond, of March, accused the Cambs Times of making up the story and sent this letter to all of his neighbours in Steeple View. PHOTO: SubmittedRetired company director Allan Hammond, of March, accused the Cambs Times of making up the story and sent this letter to all of his neighbours in Steeple View. PHOTO: Submitted (Image: Archant)

Judge Christopher Morgan at Chelmsford Crown Court dismissed a jury nine months ago after they deliberated for three days and only came to a majority verdict on the indecent images charge.

The 11 remaining allegations are being heard in Chelmsford Crown Court in a fresh trial that opened on Monday (July 9).

They were said to have been committed by Hammond, 78, over several decades. He pleaded not guilty to all of them.

The female victims are said to have been assaulted in the 1960s and 1970s, while the alleged assault on the male happened between April 29, 1990, and April 28, 1991.

He faces nine indecent assault charges, one rape and one buggery and concern two females and one male.

The charges are:

• Between March 12, 1966 and March 11, 1968 he indecently assaulted a girl under 13-years-old of age by touching her breasts and vagina.

• Between March 12, 1966 and March 11, 1968 he indecently assaulted the same girl by digitally penetrating her vagina.

• Between March 12, 1968 and March 11, 1971. He indecently assaulted the same girl by touching her breasts and vagina.

• Between March 12, 1968 and March 11, 1971 he indecently assaulted the same girl by digitally penetrating her vagina.

• Between March 12, 1968 and March 11, 1971 he indecently assaulted the same girl by digitally penetrating her vagina.

• Between March 12, 1971 and March 11, 1974 he indecently assaulted the same girl by digitally penetrating her vagina.

• Between March 12, 1971 and March 11, 1974 he indecently assaulted the same girl by digitally penetrating her vagina.

• Between March 12, 1970 and March 11, 1971 he raped a woman.

• Between August 12, 1960 and August 11, 1961 he indecently assaulted a girl (a second girl) under the age of 13-years-old by squeezing her bottom under her underwear.

• Between April 29, 1990 and April 28, 1991 he is charged with committing buggery on a boy under the age of 16-years-old.

• Between April 29, 1990 and April 28, 1991 he is charged with indecent assault against the same boy for masturbating his penis.

Hammond was found guilty of creating indecent images of children on his computer between June 23, 2014 and October 28, 2014. He will be sentenced on this charge following this trial.

Hammond previously lived in Essex and the allegations relate to crimes allegedly carried out in Saffron Walden, Colchester, Enfield, Chigwell and Chingford.