Ex soccer chief denies child sex offences (From Daily Echo)

Ex soccer chief denies child sex offences

6:40pm Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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THE former head of grass roots football in Hampshire has appeared in court to deny committing a string of child sex offences.

Ray Barnes, 73, is facing seven charges of indecently assaulting three different young boys in attacks stretching back over three decades.

The former Hampshire Football Association boss, from Southampton, yesterday appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court to deny all seven counts.

Wearing a navy blue suit, blue shirt and navy blue tie, the married father-offour spent ten minutes in the dock, speaking only to confirm his name and to plead not guilty to the offences.

Barnes, who is the life vice-president of Hampshire FA, is accused of seven charges in total.

They include: ■ Five counts of indecent assault against a 14-yearold boy in 1973.

■ One count of indecent assault against an 11-yearold boy in the mid-1960s.

■ One count of indecent assault against a 16-yearold boy in 1983.

Former Winchester City player Barnes, who is a qualified football referee, has also been involved with a gymnastics club in Southampton and spent time working in the merchant navy and for Southern Television, was released on unconditional bail.

No date has been set for his trial, which is expected to last five days.