A 49-year-old Chapmanslade man accused of raping a young girl is to face trial by jury. Ronald Keith is charged with a string of 13 sex offences on schoolgirls, including the rape of one of the youngsters.

The rape is said to have taken place between May and October 2002, when the child was about 12 years old.

Keith is also accused of carrying out sex attacks on three other girls, as well as the victim of the alleged rape, over an 11-year period from the beginning of 1992 to July last year.

Although the offences date back a number of years to when the alleged victims were as young as seven, they are all still children.

Keith, of Chapmanslade, near Westbury, pleaded not guilty to the rape, 10 counts of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child.

The case was adjourned and he was released on bail to live at a hostel in the Southampton area.

Keith is also not to come to Wiltshire except for court appearances and to see his solicitor and he cannot have any contact with witnesses in the case.