A CLERGYMAN has appeared in court charged with historic sex offences.

Former Archdeacon of Auckland, George Granville Gibson, is facing two charges of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 and three other counts of indecent assault on two men.

The retired 82-year-old, of the Carmel area of Darlington, is accused of carrying out the offences in the 1970s and 1980s, when he occupied various roles around the region within the Anglican church.

He appeared in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court for a two-minute hearing on November 8.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Newton Aycliffe and the Westminster area of London.

Last month, Durham Police confirmed Mr Gibson was interviewed as a voluntary attender, rather than being arrested.

There was a packed public gallery for Mr Gibson's short hearing, with some forced to stand at the back of the courtoom as no seats were left vacant.

District Judge Tim Capstick addressed Mr Gibson and told him he would have unconditional bail ahead of his next court appearance at Teesside Crown Court on December 6.