Eddie Shah charged with child sex offences

Former newspaper proprietor Eddie Shah appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with sexual offences against a schoolgirl.

Shah, 68, was remanded on bail to an adjourned plea and case management hearing on December 7.

He was not arraigned at today's hearing but his barrister, John Kelsey-Fry, indicated that the charges would be contested.

Shah, of Chippenham, Wiltshire, faces six counts of rape involving a girl under 16 during the 1990s.

Shah, who appeared under his real name of Selim Shah, founded the now-defunct Today newspaper in 1986 after clashes with unions and was the first person to invoke Margaret Thatcher's anti-union laws.

He now owns and runs golf courses, leisure centres and hotels, including Wiltshire Golf and Country Club, Royal Wootton Bassett.

Shah appeared in court with Anthony Pallant, 52, of West Malling, Kent, who is charged with raping a girl twice.

The charges were not put to him but he did plead not guilty to four counts of indecent assault.

Susan Davies, 52, of Swanley, Kent, pleaded not guilty to indecent assault and other allegations involving a child.

They were also bailed to the December hearing. A trial is due to take place next year.

PA