A FORMER police sergeant accused of multiple sex offences against children in Mid Wales and Shropshire will enter his pleas next month.

John Price, 71 and of Kelso, Scotland appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court where he was expected to enter pleas to 18 charges relating to incidents dating between 2011 and 2022. 

However, Judge Peter Barrie heard from defence barrister Kevin Jones that he was not in a position to provide his services to the defendant because of a previous relationship when he was a solicitor and the defendant was a custody sergeant.

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Because of this, Mr Jones told the court that "it was not in Mr Price’s best interests" for him to represent him and asked Judge Barrie to adjourn the hearing until trial counsel Paul Smith was available on Thursday, August 15.

Judge Barrie set a fixed trial date of July 21, 2025 while a section 28 hearing was provisionally scheduled for November this year.

A Section 28 hearing provides the option to pre-record evidence in advance of a trial for vulnerable complainants of a crime, as well as witnesses, including children.

The judge added: “Because of the differences around your relationship with Mr Jones who knows you for other reasons, I will do the minimum today.

“I will set the trial date of July 21 next year as a fixture – that does feel a long way away but there are difficulties in the court system.”

Price is accused of one count of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13; two counts of voyeurism; two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; three counts of raping a child under 13 and two counts of assault a child under 13 by penetration.

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He faces further counts of rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Price also faces three further charges of making indecent photographs of children.

His trial in July 2025 is expected to last four days.