A 68-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with sexually abusing three girls during the 1980s.

Michael Coggins, retired, of Church St, Alcombe, Minehead, has been charged with 21 sexual offences against young girls known to him, in Hove between 1980 and 1986.

He is facing 12 offences of indecent assault and nine offences of gross indecency, against three girls then aged between seven and 16.

Eleven offences were allegedly committed against one of the girls, nine against the second, and one against the third.

Coggins due to appear on bail at Brighton Magistrates Court at 2pm on Thursday March 24.