A Woodingdean pensioner has been charged with sexually assaulting girls in the 60s and 80s.

Ronald Coggins, 71, of Downsway, Woodingdean, is due to appear on bail at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 9 January, charged with 12 offences of indecent assault on girls under 16 years.

The three alleged victims were between 14 and 15 at the times of the offences in Brighton between 1965 and 1988.

Each victim is subject of four charges. Charges for one of the victims relate to 1965, and charges in respect of the other two relate to the 1980s.

The charges, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, follow an investigation by detectives from Brighton CID.