A FORMER council gardener and hotel worker, accused of sex offences in three counties, has been sent for trial.

Malcolm Lawrence DeGruchy was remanded in custody by Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday. He is due to appear at York Crown Court, on April 11.

Mr DeGruchy, 55, now living in Falmouth, Cornwall, is facing six charges of indecent assault and four of gross indecency, said to involve two girls under the age of 16.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred in Leeds, Lincolnshire and Surrey, between November 1979 and November 1981