A FORMER music teacher charged with sexually abusing young girls over a 40-year period will stand trial in January.

Michael Crombie, formerly of Monkhams Avenue, Woodford Green, is charged with 73 counts of indecent assault, two of sexual activity with a child and two counts of rape.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1964 and 2005.

The 75-year-old was due to appear at the Old Bailey for a plea and case management hearing this morning but was prevented by problems with a video link. He has yet to enter pleas.

Crombie was remanded in custody and will return to court within the next month.

He will stand trial over the first 35 allegations on January 7 and the case is expected to last for six weeks.