Man facing alleged abuse charges 'drawn from thousands of instances' loses bid to halt delayed prosecution

A man in his 60s, who is facing criminal charges “drawn from thousands of instances” of abusing his younger relative between 1971 and 1982, has lost a last ditch bid to halt his pending prosecution on grounds of delay.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been charged with 105 charges of sexual abuse when his relative was aged between seven and 18 years. The offences are alleged to have occurred in the accused’s home and in outdoor locations in and around that home.