A WOMAN and two men, including a former school governor, appeared in court on Friday following a police investigation into sex abuse of children.

Monica McCanch, Steven Horton and Archibald Wood face a string of charges, including rape, against youngsters of both sexes.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that between them the trio are alleged to have committed 57 offences in Kent and other parts of the country.

McCanch, 54, of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Horton, 43, of Burkestone Close, Kemsley, Sittingbourne, and Wood, 59, of Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock, Devon, spoke only to confirm their names at the short hearing.

The trio had been expected to enter pleas to the indictment but this was adjourned at the request of their defence teams until February 9.

Wood is the former chairman of governors at Tavistock Community College. He was also on the board of governors for the town’s St Rumon’s Infant School.

All three defendants were remanded in custody until their next hearing. A provisional trial date was set for August 6.