Renowned concert pianist John Briggs was today due to make his first apperance at Bradford Crown Court after he was charged with sex offences against boys.

Briggs, 65, of Little Lane, East Morton, is accused of assaulting three male victims, two of whom were under 16. He faces four counts of indecent assault on a male and one count of indecency with a child.

At an earlier hearing at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, it was indicated that Briggs will plead not guilty to the offences which are alleged to have taken place in the 1990s.

Briggs received an MBE ten years ago for his community work and he has performed at high-profile venues across the world.