Concert pianist John Briggs denied ten alleged sexual offences against boys aged ten to 16 when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court today.

Briggs, 65, of Little Lane, East Morton, near Keighley, is facing a three-week trial at Bradford Crown Court on February 17.

Wearing a smart suit and tie for the short hearing, he stood in the dock to plead not guilty to all the allegations against him.

They include nine charges of indecent assault on a male person and one of gross indecency with a boy.

The alleged victims were aged from ten to 16 and the complaints span a period from 1969 to 1993.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, who will be hearing the trial, enlarged Briggs’ bail.