A BONHILL pensioner has appeared in court in connection with alleged historical sexual offences against four young girls.

Norman Duncan, 70, faces a string of charges for offences that are alleged to have taken place during the late 1960s and early and mid 1970s.

Duncan has entered not guilty pleas to eight charges alleging sexual offences of varying degrees towards the girls.

The pensioner is accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the girls with allegations which include; having sexual intercourse with a teenager on various occasions between May 1974 and March 1976 – on the first of these occasions when she was a 15-year-old.

Other allegations include placing his hands in the underwear of another girl – who at the time was aged between eight and 10 – and sexually assaulting her, and of making inappropriate sexual remarks to her and removing her lower clothing; and on various occasions between 1970 and 1976 sexually assaulting another child who was aged between five and 11 at the time of these alleged offences. It is further alleged that he grabbed and kissed another girl between May 1968 and April 1969 – she was between the ages of 14 and 15 at the time.

All of the offences are alleged to have taken place at addresses in Bonhill.

Mr Nelson, advocate depute defending Duncan, moved for a postponement of the trial which has been set for May 3 this year in order to gather evidence for the defence. Sheriff Simon Pender continued the matter until April 20.