Dave Lee Travis, 68, charged with a dozen sex offences

The 68-year-old, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, is accused of committing the offences between 1977 and 2007 against alleged victims aged between 15 and 29.

In a statement, his lawyer, Martin Bale, said: “Mr Travis is naturally disappointed that charges have been preferred and we will be taking stock of the position in the coming weeks once we have full details of the prosecution case.

“Mr Travis denies the allegations and looks forward to having the opportunity to clear his name.”

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 23.

Travis, from Mentmore in Bedfordshire, has consistently maintained his innocence since he was first arrested in November. He was charged as part of Operation Yewtree, the police investigation prompted by the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal, but the accusations against Travis have no connection to the disgraced television presenter.

Jessica Standley, of legal firm Slater & Gordon representing a number of Travis’s alleged victims, said: “Our clients are relieved that after this length of time, careful consideration has been given to the evidence and a decision has been made to prosecute in the criminal courts.

“It takes a great deal of courage for people to come forward with this kind of allegation and our clients look forward to having 
their voices heard in a court of law.”

Travis faces 11 counts of indecent assault against eight alleged victims aged between 15 and 29 between 1977 and 2003 and one of sexual assault relating to a woman aged 23 in 2007. Prosecutors have decided no further action should be taken in relation to seven separate allegations because there was not enough evidence.