Dave Lee Travis in court over 12 sex abuse charges

Former Radio 1 DJ indicates he will plead not guilty to the allegations and has vowed to clear his name

Dave Lee Travis arrives at court (PA)

The former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis has appeared in court over 12 sex abuse charges.

Speaking only to confirm his name, the 68-year-old reportedly seemed relaxed wearing a dark suit during the 20-minute preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey.

Prosecutors claim the charges against Mr Travis took place between 1977 and 2007, against nine alleged victims aged between 15 and 29.

The allegations include 11 of indecent assault up to the most recent in 2003, and a single charge of sexual assault relating to a 23-year-old woman six years ago.

Mr Travis, who worked as a DJ on Radio 1 for 25 years up until 1993, was initially questioned by police in relation to Operation Yewtree, under the “third” strand of investigations involving people unconnected to Jimmy Savile.

He has always indicated that he will plead not guilty, and when he was first charged on 15 August Mr Travis told reporters outside his home: “To say the least I am very disappointed that the police and the CPS have decided to bring charges.

“These allegations are not true. I am very much looking forward to actually clearing my name on this.”

Mr Travis, being prosecuted under his real name of David Patrick Griffin, will enter a formal plea at the next hearing, scheduled for 21 October.