Farmer pleads not guilty to child sex offences (From Hereford Times)

Farmer pleads not guilty to child sex offences

4:36pm Friday 28th September 2012 in Local News

A farmer who is also a church warden and parish councillor has pleaded not guilty to committing 17 sex offences against children.

Michael Allfrey, aged 70, of Wildgoose Hill Farm, Storridge, entered his pleas at Worcester Crown Court and was remanded on bail.

His trial will take place at Hereford Crown Court beginning on January 14 and is expected to last at least two weeks.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on tractors, quad bikes or in the woods at his farm between 2005 and 2011. The complainants are aged between nine and 13.

There are seven charges of sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age,  six separate charges of sexual assault and four of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.