A BRIDGWATER pensioner appeared in court charged with a string of offences, which include sexually assaulting, raping and poisoning children.

Leonard Cook, 67, of Weacombe Road, was charged with 39 different offences over a 25 year period.

The charges relate to 11 alleged victims, who were all aged between five and 11 years-old, dating from the early 1980s to 2015.

At Taunton Crown Court, Cook pleaded guilty to 16 of the 39 counts.

These include indecent assault on a child under the age of 16, indecent assault on a child under the age of 16, sexual assault with sexual touching on a child between the ages of eight and 10, rape of a child under the age of 13 and assault on a child under the age of 13 with penetration.

Cook pleaded not guilty to 23 of the counts.

These include indecent assault on a child under the age of 13, causing a child under the age of 16 to watch a sexual act, with images of sexual activity, intentionally sexually penetrating a child under the age of 13,administering poison or another destructive thing with the intent to injure and indecent assault on a child under the age of 13.

Cook pleaded guilty to offences involving eight of the 11 different complainants.

Prosecuting Fiona Elder said: "Cook pleaded not guilty to the offences showing images and administering poison.

"He pleaded guilty to eight out of 11 complainants."

Defending Patrick Mason said: "Cook has requested to appear at the sentencing via video link.

"He does not want to be there."

Cook will face trial for the offences pleaded not guilty to on July 25.

He will be sentenced on July 28 and remanded in custody until then.

Sentencing Judge Ticehurst said: "He ought to be here and will not be appearing via video link.

"The sex offenders registration now applies."