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A churchgoer yesterday denied 12 counts of historic sexual offences, including child abuse, as he appeared in court.

Mark Anthony Sewell, 53, pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges – some dating back almost 30 years – at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Wearing a light grey suit over a grey shirt and dark patterned tie with brown shoes and with his greying dark hair cut short, Jehovah’s Witness Sewell spoke quietly but clearly as he denied a single charge of rape against a woman as well as 11 counts of indecent assault.

He denied seven counts of indecent assault against a girl aged under 14 between November 1985 and November 1990, a further three counts of indecent assault against a girl aged under 14 between January 1990 and January 1992, an allegation of rape from 1990 and a single count of indecent assault from 1995.

None of the four alleged victims can be identified for legal reasons.

Sewell, of Porthkerry Road in Barry, will stand trial over the alleged offences at the same court in June.

The case is expected to last up to three weeks before Judge Richard Twomlow.

Sewell was granted conditional bail until a further hearing next month.