A DISABLED man has appeared in court charged withsex offences against young girls.

David Courtney, 59, of Mill Lane, Billingham, was charged with ten indecent assaults on seven girls between 1974 and 1990.

The youngsters were aged between eight and 14.

Mr Courtney, who is registered disabled, spoke only to confirm his name and address during a hearing at Teesside Magistrates Court in Middlesbrough.

The case was adjourned for crown court trial and Mr Courtney was released on conditional bail to live at an unnamed address in Northumberland.

Solicitor Keith Leigh said: "Mr Courtney strenuously denied all the allegations being made against him."