Operation Yewtree: Stoke Mandeville doctor aged 78 charged with child rape and indecent assault

Stoke Mandeville Hospital (Getty Images)

An elderly doctor has appeared in court charged with child rape and indecent assault.

Michael Salmon is accused of assaulting four girls under the age of 16 between 1972 and 1985, including one count of rape.

The 78-year-old, who worked at the world-renowned Stoke Mandeville Hospital, was charged as part of Operation Yewtree, the police investigation into sexual abuse following the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Salmon appeared at Aylesbury Magistrates' Court for a short hearing. He was granted bail and will appear at the town's Crown Court at a later date.

Tim Dracass, defending Salmon, said: "They (the alleged offences) are extremely historical and all relate to complainants under the age of 16."

Salmon spoke only to inform the court that his address had changed "in the last 48 hours" from Woodgreen, Hampshire, to Park Lane, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Brian Saunders, chairman of the bench, reaffirmed the conditions of bail and released Salmon.

PA