THE most senior member of a North Yorkshire group that tackles youth offending has been charged with indecently assaulting two teenage girls.

Peter Foulsham, 46, manager of the North Yorkshire Youth Offending Team, has been charged with nine specimen counts of indecent assault.

Mr Foulsham, of Manor Drive South, Acomb, York, was arrested by police last Friday after an eight-month investigation by police and City of York Council social services.

He has since been suspended from his job, which is based in Low Petergate, York, by his employer, North Yorkshire County Council.

Mr Foulsham is due to appear before York magistrates on Friday, June 25.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "I can confirm that a 46-year-old-man has been arrested in connection with an on-going inquiry."

The spokesman declined to confirm the identity of the man.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "We can confirm that a man employed by the county council has been charged in connection with an ongoing inquiry by North Yorkshire Police and City of York Social Services. In accordance with council procedure he has been suspended from duty."

A spokeswoman for City of York Council confirmed that a man had been arrested following an inquiry by the city's social services department.

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, June 11, 2003