A “PILLAR of the community” has appeared in court charged with multiple historic sex offences.

Terry Cull, 76, of Amesbury Road, Cholderton, has been charged with eight counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, and one count of gross indecency with a girl under the of 14.

The charges relate to a single female allegedly abused over a 15-year period between June 1970 and March 1985.

One anonymous source described the 76-year-old as a “longstanding pillar of the community” having served as President and Treasurer at a number of local groups and organisations.

Another told the Advertiser that he was a member of a village playgroup committee.

Mr Cull appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on the morning of Tuesday, October 1, wearing brown corduroys and a green sweater. Entering the dock with the aid of a walking stick, he indicated not guilty pleas to each of the nine offences.

As the charges were so serious, District Judge Pattinson sent the case to crown court to be considered.

It will be presented at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, October 30.

Mr Cull was released on unconditional bail.