Former pub landlord on rape charge

Jun 20 2007 By Leda Reynolds, Birmingham Mail

A WELL-known former Midland pub landlord has been charged with a series of child sex offences spanning 30 years.

Ralph William Newnes, of Lansdale Avenue, Solihull, is accused of a total of 13 offences against children.

The charges include four counts of rape, three of indecent assault, three of gross indecency, two of making indecent photographs of children and one charge of child cruelty.

Newnes, aged 59, is well-known in the Elmdon community having run The Old Colonial pub in Damson Lane, Solihull, for 22 years, before retiring four years ago.

At Solihull Magistrates Court, it was alleged that Newnes twice indecently assaulted a ten-year-old girl and committed gross indecency with the same girl.

He is also accused of raping the same girl three times. Among the charges, Newnes is alleged to have indecently assaulted a different 11-year-old girl and raping and committing gross indecency with her.

Newnes has also been charged with gross indecency with a girl and a separate charge of child cruelty.

In addition, he is accused of making indecent photographs by taking pictures of two separate girls who were 14 years old.

The case was adjourned to Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday and Newnes was granted conditional bail until that date.

Legal aid was granted.