Former Radio One DJ Mark Page to go on trial for child sex offences
Mark Page, 62, who worked for the BBC station in the 1980s and has had a long-running career in radio, will go on trial on February 28, 2022.
Mr Page appeared before Teeside Crown Court on Monday for a 10 minute hearing.
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Hide AdNo pleas were entered but his solicitor, Henri Brandman, has previously issued a statement saying Page "vehemently denies" the offences.
Two charges relate to allegations of attempting to incite or cause a girl to engage in sexual activity and two relate to allegations of arranging or facilitating sexual exploitation of girls, one said to have occurred in the Philippines.
All the offences are alleged to have happened in 2016.
The trial had been scheduled for February 28 and was expected to last five to seven days.
Judge Paul Watson said: "Because of the severe backlog and delays that have been created largely by the outbreak of the coronavirus, it is not possible to list this case, being a fairly lengthy five to seven days, until February 28 next year.
He granted the DJ bail.
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Hide AdMr Brandman's statement, which was issued after Page appeared before magistrates, said: "Mr Page vehemently denies the alleged offences and will vigorously defend himself against the charges.
"He has had business, military and charitable interests in the Philippines for a number of years."
The DJ was previously a stadium announcer for Middlesbrough FC and lives in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside.