Watford man pleads not guilty to all 22 charges of child abuse (From Watford Observer)

Watford man pleads not guilty to all 22 charges of child abuse

4:50pm Wednesday 11th August 2010 in News By Adam Binnie

A Watford man pleaded not guilty to more than 20 offences of child abuse, including the rape of a child under 13, at St Albans Crown Court this morning.

Barry McCloud, of Tudor Drive, has been charged with 22 offences including three counts of rape of a child under 13.

In addition, the 53-year-old was charged with creating indecent imagery, including six videos and more than 50 photographs, and possessing almost a hundred more images of child pornography.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Goa, India, between 2005-2007. They centre on a girl, aged between nine and ten at the time, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Mr McCloud appeared in court today dressed in jeans and black jacket, and one-by-one recorded a not guilty plea to all charges.

The technical difficulties of a live television link-up with a witness in Goa were discussed today, before another hearing was arranged for Thursday, September 30.

The trial date is set for November 15 for eight days. Mr McCloud remains in police custody.