London 2012: Jersey Olympic torchbearer on child indecent assault charges

A man chosen to carry the Olympic torch in Jersey has been charged with indecently assaulting children.

Ralph Mauger, 76, from Grouville, appeared at the magistrate's court charged with three counts of indecently assaulting children aged 5-14.

The alleged offences date back to an eight-year period from the late 1990s.

Games organiser Locog said Mr Mauger, an ex honorary police officer for Grouville, had told officials that he no longer wanted to be a torchbearer.

Mr Mauger was one of 16 islanders chosen to carry the flame through Jersey in July.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear again in Jersey's Magistrate's Court on 21 May.

A Locog spokesman said: "We can confirm that Ralph Mauger has notified us that he no longer wishes to be a torchbearer and so will not be carrying the torch."