A nightclub boss is to stand trial accused of sexually abusing children more than 30 years ago.

Duncan Bayles, who runs Sundowners in Margate, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court today and pleaded not guilty to 17 charges relating to four boys at children’s homes in Deal and Ramsgate.

The 63-year-old, of High Street, Margate, denies 11 counts of indecent assault, five of indecency with a child, and one of attempted rape.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between the 1980s and 1990s, when the complainants were aged under 13.

Bayles was said by prosecutor Toby FitzGerald to be acting as a care assistant at the time in respect of three children's homes – two in Deal and one in Ramsgate.

His trial is due to start on October 14 next year and will last two to three weeks.

Bayles was released on conditional bail by Judge Mark Weekes until a further case management hearing on May 31.