Southsea man to face trial after denying kidnapping attempt

A MAN has pleaded not guilty to abducting a teenager with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Roger Seath appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday, where he entered his plea.

Seath, of Osborne Road, Southsea, is now set to face trial in April next year.

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The 41-year-old, who was wearing a purple jumper and jeans, while sporting a greying beard, appeared in court via a video link from HMP Winchester.

He spoke only to confirm his name and to issue not guilty pleas to two charges.

They consisted of attempting to kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence and secondly of being in possession of a bladed article, namely a knife on October 5.

There were long pauses between each of Seath’s responses.

However, when responding, he did not decide to dispute the charges, staring straight at the camera throughout the hearing.

The hearing lasted just short of ten minutes.

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He was charged on October 7 after police received a report of a suspicious man following and trying to stop and talk to a 14-year-old girl on Kent Road just before 4pm.

Judge Linda Sullivan QC told Seath: ‘Mr Seath, following your pleas you will now stand trial in this court regarding the charges.

‘In the meantime you will now be remanded in custody until that date.’

He previously appeared in court last month where he entered no plea to the charges.

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Seath, who has been remanded in custody, is set to appear at the same court for trial on April 3.

At the time of the incident, the police called for caution from the public but to stay alert.

A spokesperson’s statement read: ‘Stay alert but not alarmed.

‘Remain vigilant and remind children and teenagers of stranger danger.

‘Report anything or anyone suspicious to 101, or call 999 in an emergency.