A 60-YEAR-OLD man from Wotton-under-Edge accused of rape, slavery and blackmail offences is to stand trial with his wife in the New Year.
Frederick and Belinda Keet, of New Street, Charfield, near Wotton-under-Edge, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court today for the first hearing of their case and were told their trial will be at Bristol Crown Court.
They were bailed to appear a Bristol on November 26 for a plea and case management hearing.
Mr Keet faces charges of raping a woman twice, encouraging a man to engage in sexual activity, assaulting a woman by penetration, forced labour without payment, and fraud. His wife, 55, faces three fraud charges.
All offences are alleged to have been committed between 2006 and this year.
Judge William Hart granted the couple bail on condition they do not attempt to contact the alleged victims and do not go to their address.
The judge told them their trial date will be fixed before Christmas.
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