AN ex-Scoutmaster due for trial on historic child sex abuse charges has appeared before magistrates to face more allegations.

Peter Hamilton-Harvey appeared in court accused of rape and nine other sexual offences earlier this year.

Yesterday he denied 10 further allegations of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years when he appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates Court.

The charges span a period between December 1986 and December 1993 and relate to one victim.

At an earlier hearing he was accused of rape of a boy under the age of 13, an offence alleged to have been committed between 1983 and 1987.

He also faced four offences of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14 and five charges of indecent assault against a boy under 14, alleged to have taken place between the same dates.

At a preliminary hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court earlier this year, the court heard that Hamilton-Harvey, 55, of Dean Park Road, Bournemouth, may seek to be tried outside of Bournemouth.

Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court: "I understand that this will be contested" and Judge Peter Johnson was told that Hamilton-Harvey's barrister, Robert Grey, may seek a change of venue.

Currently, the defendant is due to attend at plea and case management hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court in May, to be followed by a trial on all matters in July.