Woman accused of child sex abuse dies before trial

Neil King, from Rotherham, is on trial accused of sexual offences against an underage girl

A man accused of child sexual abuse will stand trial alone after the woman he was charged alongside died.

Neil King, 51, of Meadow Street, Rotherham, faces 15 counts of rape and other sexual offences relating to an underage girl, which are alleged to have taken place between 2003 and 2009.

He was charged as part of Operation Stovewood, the long-running National Crime Agency investigation into child sexual abuse in the town.

Louise Tye, 41, of Kimberworth, was charged with inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing the neglect or ill treatment of a child in 2008.

Her death was confirmed at the start of King's two-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

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