The trial of a scout leader charged with child abuse and possessing 18,385 indecent images of children has been sent to crown court.
Roland Frankel, 61, of Theydon Park Road in Theydon Bois, is also accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity and attempting to pay for sex with the same girl aged between 13 and 15.
The offences are alleged to have happened between July 1 and November 6 2013.
He is charged with possessing 18,385 indecent images, 81 of which fall into the most serious category, and 440 videos.
The recently suspended Liberal Democrat activist and scout leader was ordered by Chelmsford Magistrates Court to return to the Chelmsford Crown Court on May 5.
He was freed on police bail on condition that he does not contact the alleged victim.
Frankel was chosen as Theydon Bois Villager of the Year last year and had represented the village as a Lib Dem councillor from 2006 until 2010.
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