A man appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Monday, charged with nine sexual offences involving children, including three counts of rape.

Timothy Kendrick, 46, now in custody, was a resident of Foley House guesthouse, in Bye Street, Ledbury, at the time of the alleged offences.

The warehouseman was brought up before Judge David McEvoy QC to enter a plea to the nine offences.

The Crown Prosecution Service itemised the charges as three counts of rape, each against a child under 13, four sexual assaults of a child under 13, one count of engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

He was charged on Friday, February 10.

Lee Marklew, appearing for the defence, asked Judge McEvoy to adjourn the case for three weeks, to allow further time for papers to be examined.

Walter Bealby, prosecuting, said Mr Kendrick could face a new indictment and supported the request for the case to be adjourned, asking for four weeks instead of three.

Judge McEvoy, who called it "a very serious case", agreed for an adjournment until Monday, May 8.

Mr Kendrick will appear on that date to enter a plea.

Judge McEvoy instructed that the new indictment be served within 14 days, from Monday, April 10.