A 78-year-old March man, accused of more than 10 counts of historic sexual abuse, has had a new trial listed for next summer after a jury failed to reach a verdict.

Allan Hammond, who once lived in Saffron Walden, but now lives in Steeple View, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges against him, seven of which are indecent assaults against a girl under the age of consent.

For some of the offences, the victim is said to have been as young as eight or nine-years-old.

He has also been charged with one count of rape on the same female, when she was of age, and indecently assaulting another female under the age of 13-years-old by squeezing her bottom under her underwear.

Hammond, who now lives in Steeple View, in March, is also on trial for charges of buggery and indecent against a boy under the age of 16-years-old.

Hammond faces a charge of making indecent images of children on his computer between June 23 and October 28, 2014.

Officers recovered two category A images – the highest grading – and one category B picture.

Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court today (Tuesday 17) his case was adjourned to July 9, 2018.

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