A MAN has appeared in court charged with several counts of rape and indecent assault on children.

Stephen Anderton, 51, of Bank Street, Padiham, appeared at Burnley Magistrates Court on Monday where his case was sent to the Crown Court.

According to court documents, the offences Anderton is charged with allegedly took place in the main between 2002-2014, with some of the offences dating back to the 80s.

In total he was charged with three counts of rape of a girl under 13, three counts of assault of a girl under 13 by touching, two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, one count of indecent assault on a boy under 14, one count of indecent assault on a boy under 16 and two counts of buggery with a boy under 16.

Under modern legislation, non-consensual buggery is rape.

Anderton’s next court appearance is scheduled for June.