A pensioner from Llandysul today made his first appearance before a crown court judge charged with historical sex offences against two young girls.

Barry Pomphrey Cooper, aged 74, was not asked to enter pleas and the charges will be put to him at a case management hearing on April 24.

Cooper, of Brynhebog, was further remanded in custody to Parc prison in Bridgend.

Judge Keith Thomas, sitting at Swansea crown court, said he could not understand the “extraordinary” delay in bringing the case to court.

Cooper was first arrested on February 1, 2012, and interviewed by police in October of that year.

Jim Davis, prosecuting, said a video taped interview of one of the complainants had gone missing but the prosecution could still work of an audio tape of the same interview.

A further explanation will be provided on April 25.