A FORMER Newcastle United coach has appeared in court charged with 29 historic sexual offences dating back more than 40 years.

George Ormond, 61, of Westwood View, Newton Abbot, Devon, appeared via videolink for a five minute hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

Wearing black-rimmed glasses, the bearded defendant identified himself in a clear voice.

He did not enter pleas to the 29 charges which relate to 17 complainants, and which were said to have occurred between 1973 and 1998.

He is charged with one count of buggery of a boy of 15, 10 counts of indecent assault on boys under 14, eight on boys under 16 and 10 on males over 16.

He was granted unconditional bail and told he must appear at Newcastle Crown Court on July 7.