A FOURTH man who was arrested by police as part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged sex offences has appeared in court.
Victor David Howland, 57, of Shaw Crescent, Huby, pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting a woman between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1990. Howland was arrested as a result of an extensive investigation by North Yorkshire Police involving former North Yorkshire County Councillor Raymond Coates, 76, of Oaktree Sawmills, Huby, and his son, Phillip Nigel Coates, 46, of Ascot Way, Acomb. A second son, Eric Coates, is wanted by police, but is still believed to be out of the country.
Norton deputy mayor Jim Kench, 78, of Sutton Street, Norton, appeared at Scarborough Magistrates' Court charged with indecently assaulting the same woman. Both cases were adjourned to Pickering Magistrates' Court on January 31.
Updated: 10:53 Tuesday, December 24, 2002
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