Jonathan King is set to face trial for abusing boys

POP mogul and record producer Jonathan King will stand trial this summer accused of historical sex offences against 12 teenage boys.

King, 73, pleaded not guilty yesterday to 18 assaults on the children in the 1970s and 1980s.

Most of the alleged attacks were in the mid-80s while the victims were aged between 14 and 16.

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.

At the beginning of earlier proceedings he told prosecutor Rosina Cottage: ‘You have a beautiful, soft, mellifluous voice but I am finding it terribly hard to hear.’

He was granted permission to sit in the well of the court so that he could hear better.

The charges relate to allegations including the most extreme sexual abuse. The alleged offences were uncovered as part of Surrey Police’s Operation Ravine.

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.

He appeared many times on TV on both sides of the Atlantic, including on shows such as Top of the Pops and Entertainment USA.