A 44-year-old Worcester man has been remanded in custody charged with 16 sex offences involving women, young girls and a boy.
Darren Purchase, of Hayfield Close, St John’s, entered not guilty pleas to all the allegations when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court.
He is accused of four rapes, six indecent assaults, three charges of buggery and three of indecency with a child. Some of the alleged offences date back to 1984.
His counsel Jason Aris said there were nine complainants and 30 witnesses. He estimated that the trial could last six weeks.
In the dock alongside Puchase was 46-year-old Ian Tasker, of Selsey Close, Warndon, Worcester, who pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of indecency with a child and one of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13. He was given bail.
Judge John Cavell fixed the trial for May 6.
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