A 53-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court in connection with historic child sex abuse offences alleged to have been committed in Crewkerne back in the 1970s.

Philip James Pike, of Lyster Road, Fordingbridge, was in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

He was charged with three counts of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14 on dates between September 6, 1976 and February 3, 1979 at Crewkerne.

The defendant denied all three allegations and the magistrates said the case was so serious that he must be sent to Taunton Crown Court to stand trial.

They adjourned all matters until Monday, January 4 when Pike must appear before a preliminary hearing at Taunton.

In the meantime he was released on conditional bail on the understanding he does not contact the alleged victim directly or indirectly and does not enter Merriott.