Pair to stand trial accused of child sex abuse at centre

Robin Griffiths (left) and Angus Riddell (right) face 45 charges between them relating to reports of child sexual abuse at the former Coed Glas Assessment Centre

Two men accused of a string of historical child sexual offences at a former assessment centre will stand trial in 2027.

Angus Riddell, 69, from Cwmbach, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Robin Griffiths, 65, who lives in Bideford in Devon, have denied 45 charges between them of cruelty, indecent assault and attempted indecent assault on boys and girls under 16.

The pair appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday where a trial date of 18 January 2027 was set, with proceedings expected to last three months.

It follows a Gwent Police investigation into reports of sexual and physical abuse at the former Coed Glas Assessment Centre in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, between the 1970s and 1990s.

Jonathan Rees, defending Mr Riddell, argued the trial date should be in May 2027, however Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said the trial should be held at the "earliest opportunity".

There will be a further case management review on 27 February 2026.

Both men were released on bail.