A 66-year-old church pastor has appeared in court charged with child sex offences dating back to the mid 1970s.

Laurence Englefield, of Alderlee, off Stoke Park Drive, Ipswich, made his first appearance on ten allegations before South East Suffolk Magistrates.

Englefield is accused of three attempted rapes, six counts of indecent assault on a girl, a further charge of gross indecency with a girl.

During the short hearing magistrates were told the allegations were so serious they would have to be sent to the crown court.

Englefield – who was said to be a church pastor in Felixstowe - listened to proceedings via a video link from Suffolk Constabulary’s Martlesham police investigation centre.

At the end of the hearing magistrates sent the matter to Ipswich Crown Court where Englefield’s next appearance is due to take place on December 6.

Englefield was released on conditional bail until then.