Pensioner appears in court accused of 1972 sex attack

A 79-year-old man has appeared in court via video link accused of raping and kidnapping a teenager more than 40 years ago. Peter Pickering, from Newbury, Berkshire, was remanded in custody during the brief hearing at Leeds Magistrates` Court. He will appear before a judge at Leeds Crown Court on October 16. Mr Pickering is charged with the rape and false imprisonment of an 18-year-old woman in Deepcar, near Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, in June 1972. No pleas were entered during the hearing. Denise Teal, chairwoman of the magistrates` bench, told Pickering: “Our decision is that you will be remanded in custody. “You will appear at Leeds Crown Court on October 16, 2017 for a pre-trial hearing.”