A HUDDERSFIELD man has appeared in court accused of a string of sexual offences against young girls.

Peter Stafford-Simpson, 46 of Fenton Road, Lockwood, is alleged to have committed 16 offences over a six-year period, including three rapes.

Simpson appeared in front of District Judge Marie Mallon, at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court in Huddersfield yesterday.

Simpson, who was accompanied by members of his family, spoke only to confirm his name.

He is charged with three counts of rape of teenage girls, two counts of penetrative sex with underage girls, five counts of engaging in sexual activity with underage girls, two counts of inciting underage girls to engage in sexual activity, two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with underage girls and two counts of exposure.

The charges stem from alleged incidents with six different girls, aged between 13 and 15.

The teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have accused him of the offences from May 2005 to January 2011.

The rape allegations all involve one 15-year-old girl.

The youngest alleged victim was just 13 at the time of the incident and the remainder of the girls were 14.

Simpson, who made no indication to his plea, will next appear at Leeds Crown Court on September 6.