Pensioner charged with historic child sex offences in Milnthorpe

A man in his eighties has been charged with a series of historic sexual offences involving underage girls.
David Ryder, 82, of Hornby in Lancashire, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on December 17, where he gave no indication of pleas to eight separate charges.
Ryder is accused of four counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching, as well as four counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity without penetration.
One of the charges alleges that he intentionally caused or incited a girl to touch his genitals in exchange for retrieving sweets.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place in Milnthorpe.
Magistrates granted Ryder conditional bail, with strict requirements that he must not have any contact with anyone under the age of 16.
He is due to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on January 16 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations at this stage and Ryder is entitled to a fair trial.