A PENSIONER from Swindon has been charged with raping a child.

Derek Maslen faces several charges relating to alleged historic sex offences which date back to the 1970s.

The 72-year-old of Pewsham Road is charged with two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, one count of gross indecency with a girl under 14 years of age, and two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16.

Four of the offences are said to have happened in winter 1975 and one rape charge relates to an alleged incident in 1980.

The defendant appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on November 8 and entered no plea to any of the charges.

Maslen has been released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at Swindon Crown Court on December 9, 2022.