A 68-YEAR-old man has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges of sexually abusing two children dating back almost 30 years.

Derrick Hooley, of Main Street, Farnhill, near Keighley, faces charges said to have taken place between 1985 and 1995.

He is accused of four charges of indecent assault on a male, six counts of gross indecency with a boy, two charges of gross indecency with a girl, three counts of indecent assault on a female.

He also faces one count of indecent assault on a male and one further charge of taking an indecent photograph of a child.

Hooley's trial, expected to last up to five days, will start on January 19 next year.

Hooley (pictured), who was wearing a green gillet and grey jumper, appeared before Bradford Crown Court yesterday for a plea and case management hearing.

He was previously committed to Bradford Crown Court by Skipton magistrates in June this year.