THE former Archdeacon of Auckland will stand trial next summer on historic sex charges.

George Granville Gibson appeared at Teesside Crown Court today and denied three allegations of indecent assault on a male.

The retired 82-year-old spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and nationality, and enter his pleas during the ten-minute hearing.

His trial has been - expected to last three days - is scheduled to start on July 8.
Two of the charges relate to 1979, and the third to 1988.

Mr Gibson, who lives in the Carmel area of Darlington, was granted bail by Judge Deborah Sherwin on the condition he does not contact prosecution witnesses.

The judge told him: "It is important you keep in touch with your solicitors because if they receive papers, they will need to discuss them with you.
"One of the things they will need is prepare a defence case which needs to be full and detailed."