Ex-rugby player on historic rape charges

The 38-year-old, of Spring Hall Place, Halifax, pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge Colin Burn at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

The alleged offences are thought to have involved a boy and a 
girl.

Neither of the complainants can be identified for legal reasons and the allegations date back to the late 1980s and early 1990s when Holroyd himself was a youngster.

After Holroyd entered his not guilty pleas to the charges, Judge Burn was told that a trial date had been set for March 10.

The court heard it is estimated the trial will last four or five days.

During yesterday’s hearing, Judge Burn extended Holroyd’s bail until the former rugby league player’s trial.