Former Radio 1 DJ accused of 24 sex offences

One of the founding DJs of BBC Radio 1 appeared in court today (thurs) charged with 24 sexual offences involving boys as young as eight.

Chris Denning, 75, is accused of sexually abusing 11 victims between 1969 and 1986.

The former radio star has been charged with 17 counts of indecent assault on boys aged under 16, two counts of indecent assault on men, three counts of inciting boys under 14 to commit acts of gross indecency, and two counts of gross indecency.

Frail Denning, who suffers from a range of illnesses including a Parkinson’s and diabetes, appeared on a video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face the 24 charges.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said: ‘They involve at least one allegation of what would now amount to assault by penetration of a child under the age of 13.’

Denning, who suffered a heart attack in 2009 and struggles to walk after enduring a spine fracture, sat impassively through the hearing in a black top and green overcoat.

Asked to state his name, he said: ‘Yes, err Christopher Denning, can you hear me?’

When the charges were put to him, he answered: ‘I’m giving no indication today.’

Denning, formerly of Collingwood Road, Basildon, Essex,  was remanded in custody at HMP Wandsworth ahead of a preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 11 August.

The former DJ left his London grammar school aged 15 and began his radio career at Radio Moscow before taking up posts on Radio Luxembourg and Radio London.

By 1965 he was working as an announcer on BBC2 and he was the first voice when the TV channel started broadcasting.

Denning was among a team of BBC disc jockeys who launched Radio 1 in the 1960s.

He was one of the first voices of the world-famous station and worked alongside household names including Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett, Terry Wogan and John Peel.

The DJ also worked for record label Decca for two years and helped propel Gary Glitter and the Bay City Rollers to stardom.