A FORMER Minehead taxi driver has denied historic charges of rape and sexual assaults against a young girl.

David Wylie, aged 65, of Higher Rodhuish Road, Withycombe, entered not guilty pleas to five charges when he appeared in Taunton Crown Court on Monday (March 16).

Wylie is accused of one offence of rape, three of unlawful sexual intercourse, and one of committing a sex act on the girl on various dates between July 16, 1996, and January 1, 2000.

Judge Richard Shepherd adjourned the hearing for a trial to begin on June 28 next year and released Wylie on bail in the meantime.

A further case management hearing for Wylie was also listed in the same court for July 17 this year.