AN ANDOVER man is to go on trial accused of abducting a child when she was in the care of social services.

James Ford, of Picket Twenty Way, is charged with taking a girl under the age of 13 on June 29 and 30 this year.

It is also claimed that the 29-year-old made a phone call to the girl which conveyed a threat for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

Mr Ford appeared via video link before Judge Keith Cutler for a plea hearing at Winchester Crown Court today (Wednesday).

Wearing a grey jumper Mr Ford entered pleas of not guilty to all three charges.

Judge Cutler has set a date for the trial, expected to last four days, to begin at the same court on November 11.

Mr Ford was remanded back into custody following the hearing, but defending him, Alec Williams said that a bail application is likely to be put forward next week.