A 79-year-old man accused of the historic sexual abuse of a girl in Nailsworth is to stand trial at Gloucester Crown Court next month.
Prosecutor Robert Duvall told the court that John Peters – who currently lives in Aberystwyth - is accused of raping and sexually assaulting the girl when she was between the ages of 10 and 19.
There are currently 24 charges against Mr Peters but they will be reduced to about 12 before the trial begins on October 17, he said The trial is expected to last seven days.
"It is a case of historic sexual abuse over many years," said Mr Duvall.
"We say that during the course of that there was unlawful touching, penetrative sexual activity and individual instances of rape.”
All the offences are said to have taken place in Nailsworth.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC bailed Mr Peters to await trial.
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