101-year-old on trial accused of historic child sex offences

A 101-year-old man thought to be the oldest defendant in British legal history is due to go on trial accused of a string of historical sexual offences.

Former lorry driver Ralph Clarke entered not guilty pleas in June to 31 offences alleged to have been committed between 1974 and 1983 against three children.

The pensioner, of Holly Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, denies committing 17 indecent assaults, 12 offences of indecency with a child and two attempted serious sexual offences.

Clarke's trial by jury at Birmingham Crown Court is expected to last up to two weeks.