Darwen man denies sexual abuse of three girls (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Darwen man denies sexual abuse of three girls
2:01pm Tuesday 14th August 2012 in News
By Jessica Cree, Education reporter
Mark Whitehead
A 44-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with 15 different counts of sexual abuse on young girls.
At Preston Crown Court, Mark Whitehead, who is from Darwen, went on trial accused of committing eight counts of indecency with a child, six of indecent assault and another of sexual assault.
The charges relate to alleged incidents which are said to have happened with three different girls.
They are alleged to have taken place at various addresses throughout the town.
Mark Savill, prosecuting, said: “This is a case involving sexual allegations made by three young women.
“Each of the charges involves a different sexual act.
“Mr Whitehead was arrested on August 2, 2011, and interviewed by police.
“He was asked to comment on the allegations and he denied them in their entirety.”
The jury will hear evidence from witnesses via video link over the course of the trial.
The allegations were reported to police in Blackburn and Whitehead, who is represented by Charlotte Holland, was arrested and granted conditional bail.
He pleaded not guilty to all 15 of the charges.
The trial opened yesterday and is expected to continue for at least a week.
