Four pensioners accused of sexually abusing girl

Four men have been accused of sexually abusing a girl while they were officers in the Salvation Army.
Blackpool Magistrates CourtBlackpool Magistrates Court
Blackpool Magistrates Court

The men - one now aged 87 - have made their first appearance at court charged with sex offences.

Some allegations date back over 40 years, to when the girl was aged between 12 and 17.

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The men were all based at the Blackpool Salvation Army Citadel in the town’s Raikes Parade.

Trevor Worthington, 87, of Mayfield Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, is charged with attempted rape and indecent assault

His son Philip Worthington, 63, of Warwick Place, Blackpool, faces four charges of indecent assault on the girl and one of inciting her to commit gross indecency.

William Tompkinson, 69, of Raleigh Drive, Blackpool, is accused of 10 offences of indecent assault and Derek Smith, 67, of Hall Park Drive, Lytham, faces three allegations of indecent assault.

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The four appeared before Blackpool Magistrates Court and their lawyers indicated they would deny the offences at crown court.

They were granted unconditional bail by District Judge Joanne Hirst, who sent their cases on to the higher court.

The assaults are said to have taken place between 1971 and 1978.