A MAN in his 80s will appear in court next year on charges of historic sexual abuse.

George Shaw, of Wombwell Road, Platts Common, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault at Sheffield Crown Court in November.

The charges relate to one female victim and the incidents are alleged to have happened in Barnsley between September 1965 and September 1972 while she was under the age of 14.

The 85-year-old was due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court yesterday but was taken unwell.

His trial date has been set provisionally for May 24 but he will appear in court on Wednesday to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.