A MAN who was jailed for abusing women over a 26-year period has been told he will not face any further action after more allegations came to light.

John Wilson, 71, of The Bungalow, Florist Street, Stockbridge, is currently serving a 21-year jail sentence following a six-week trial at Bradford Crown Court last year, where he was found guilty of 14 charges of indecent assault, three of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one of sexual assault.

At a pre-trial review held at Bradford Crown Court last Wednesday, prosecutor David McGonigal said Wilson faced an indictment with 25 counts, including indecent assault, ABH, buggery, false imprisonment and sending communication with intent to cause stress or anxiety.

Mr McGonigal asked that only the first count of indecent assault be put to Wilson.

When it was, Wilson entered a not guilty plea.

Mr McGonigal said the position of the prosecution, after reviewing the case carefully with the Crown Prosecution Service and police officers involved in the investigation, was that there is no intention to take the matter any further.

Mr McGonigal explained that this was due to the prison sentence that Wilson is currently serving.

Addressing Wilson, Judge David Hatton QC said: “The prosecution, for pragmatic reasons, propose to offer no evidence in relation to count one on the indictment.

“A count to which you have pleaded not guilty.”

At the crown’s request Judge Hatton said he would ‘stay’ counts two to 25 included on the indictment.

He said: “That concludes the matter, you may return to the place from which you came.”