The trial of a former Havering Council worker accused of historical child sex offences has been halted.

The trial of a former Havering Council worker accused of historical child sex offences has been halted.

Peter Hopkins, 66, of Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting a boy between April 1976 and March 1979.

But the trial, expected to last for the entire of last week, was halted on a “point of law”.

It will now be heard on Monday, January 15, and a new jury will be sworn in.

Mr Hopkins was accused of indecently assaulting the victim, when he was aged between eight and 10, in the cubicle at Hornchurch Baths, as well as trying to rape him on a sleepover.

He denies all the charges.

The victim, who is now in his late 40s cannot be named for legal reasons, is himself a convicted sex offender having amassed 10,000 indecent images of children.

He is also required to sign the sex offenders register until a time in 2019.