Travis in court to face sex offence allegations

The 68-year-old indicated that he will plead not guilty as he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday to answer 11 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.

He is accused of committing the offences between 1977 and 2007 against alleged victims aged between 15 and 29.

Travis, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, has denied any wrongdoing since he was first arrested on suspicion of sexual offences in November last year.

His lawyer Martin Bale yesterday indicated to the court that he would plead not guilty to the charges.

Addressing reporters outside court, Travis, of Mentmore in Bedfordshire, said: “I am supported by my wife and friends. My wife is not here today and the reason that she is not here today is because I detest hare-coursing.”

After the short hearing, he told reporters inside the court building that he could not talk about the case. He said: “I either talk for a long time or I don’t, and at the moment I’m not talking.”

Travis, who was charged last week, was told that his case will be sent to Southwark Crown Court, where he will next appear on September 6. He was released on bail with the conditions that he lives at his home in Mentmore and does not contact the alleged victims.

He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, and to query what the next hearing would involve.