King faces trial for sex abuse

JONATHAN King will stand trial this summer accused of historical sex offences against 12 teenage boys.

The 73-year-old pop mogul and record producer pleaded not guilty yesterday to 18 assaults on the children in the 1970s and 1980s.

The former DJ appeared at Southwark Crown Court under his birth name Kenneth King and denied all the charges. He appeared in a black suit, blue tie and red trainers, and made use of a hearing loop.

Judge Deborah Taylor told King he will stand trial on June 11.

The Cambridge graduate was famed for songs including Everyone’s Gone to the Moon and Hooked on a Feeling and discovered the band Genesis as a music producer.

He also wrote and produced hits for teen idols the Bay City Rollers.