Men deny sex offences at children's centre

Robin Griffiths (left) and Angus Riddell (right) were charged with 45 offences between them

Two men have pleaded not guilty to a series of historical sexual offences against children at a former assessment centre.

Angus Riddell, 69, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Robin Griffiths, 65, from Blaenau Gwent, were charged on 20 June with 45 offences between them.

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

They have both been bailed and are due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 1 August.

Angus Riddell, 69, and Robin Griffiths, 65, are accused of a series of historical sexual offences at a former children's centre in Abergavenny

Mr Riddell has been charged with 38 offences, including three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, and one count of attempting to indecently assault a girl under 16.

He has also been charged with 14 counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14 and 20 counts of assault, ill-treat, neglect or abandoning a child or young person to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

Mr Griffiths, who now lives in Bideford, Devon, has been charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 .

The charges relate to 16 victims.

Appearing at Newport Magistrates' Court on Thursday, the two men confirmed their names, dates of birth and addresses.

At the time the centre was the responsibility of the former Gwent County Council and has been closed since 1995.

Det Ch Supt Andrew Tuck of Gwent Police previously urged the public to respect the judicial process and avoid online speculation on the case.