A MAN from Hook, who is a former personal assistant to the Duke of Edinburgh, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of historic sex abuse against a young girl.

Benjamin Herman, 79, is charged with three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 13 in the early 1970s, when he was serving as equerry to the Duke.

He is also charged with one count of indecency with a child relating to a claim that he incited the same girl to commit an act of gross indecency between January 1972 and January 1974.

Wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, Herman spoke to confirm his name and enter not guilty pleas to the four charges when he was arraigned today at Kingston Crown Court.

A trial date was fixed for May 18 next year, and the case is expected to last for two weeks.

The assaults are alleged to have happened at a house in south west London used by military personnel, where Herman was living at the time.

He was a serving major in the Royal Marines on secondment as equerry, handling the Duke’s private matters and engagements.

He is on bail.