Man in court over girl abduction

A 35-year-old man charged with the abduction of a 13-year-old girl in Berkshire has appeared in court.

The girl was reported missing from the Wokingham area by her parents on 7 April. She was later found unharmed.

Simon Deacon, of Crowthorne Site, Finchampstead, applied for the charge to be dismissed on Tuesday but pleaded not guilty to six other charges.

A dismissal hearing was set at Reading Crown Court for 17 August with a trial on the other charges on 28 September.

Mr Deacon also faces charges of assault, attempted burglary, robbery, aggravated vehicle taking causing injury, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.