A KNUTSFORD man has pleaded not guilty to 32 charges of sexually abusing youngsters.

Michael Butterworth, 59, of Leycester Road, appeared at Chester Crown Court, on Thursday, October 21, for a plea and directions hearing.

The court heard that Butterworth had been charged on three counts of attempted rape and 29 counts of indecently assaulting young boys.

During the short hearing, the court was told that there were four victims, all young boys as young as seven years old but who are now adults.

The offences date back to the mid-eighties with the first recorded offence being on September 17, 1985, when the defendant was aged 33.

The last one was recorded to have happened on June 2, 2004.

One of the offences occurred while on a holiday, others in the defendants car and some while changing for swimming.

Butterworth’s barrister Mr Dawson QC told the court that Butterworth was ‘keen’ to get to trial.

Three of the counts occurred prior to the 2003 Sexual Offences Act – there was some concern from Judge Teague that these may not be classed as attempted rape, but attempting to commit an act of gross indecency.

Despite living in Knutsford and his address being Leycester Road, the court was told that Butterworth had moved to France where he is now living in Cellefrouin, a small village 95 miles north of Bordeaux.

Judge Teague warned him of the consequences of not turning up for the trial and said he would be marking the court record to confirm that this warning had been given.

The date for the 10-day trial, to be held at Chester Crown Court, was set for March 21, 2011.