Trial date set for Tremeloes stars accused of sex assault

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-35971612

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Two members of pop group The Tremeloes have formally denied indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Chester following a gig.

Leonard "Chip" Hawkes, 70, and Richard Westwood, 72, appeared via video link at Chester Crown Court.

A trial date has been set for 6 February next year after they both pleaded not guilty to indecent assault.

The complainant claims she was assaulted in a Chester hotel room between 1 and 30 April 1968.

She said she was assaulted by both men after attending a pop concert in the city.

Mr Hawkes, of The Herons, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, who is the father of 1990s pop star Chesney Hawkes, performs in the current Tremeloes line-up.

His barrister Liam Walker told the hearing both men suffered from acute illnesses and Mr Hawkes was due to go undergo chemotherapy in November.

An application would be made to have the venue of the trial moved, Mr Walker added.

Mr Westwood, of Ellis Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire, was a founding member of the Tremeloes as lead guitarist and sang lead vocals on the band's 1967 number one single Silence Is Golden and retired four years ago.

The pair were both given unconditional bail.