A Dunstable man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and indecently assaulting two teenagers in Harpenden in the early 2000s.

Alec Housden had pleaded not guilty earlier this year, prior to changing his plea at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, May 31).

The 59-year-old was arrested at his home address at 7am on March 22 on suspicion of two sexual assaults and three kidnappings, and charged after appearing at Hatfield Remand Court on March 23.

READ MORE

The charges related to an indecent assault on a female and kidnap on Sunday, April 7, 2002 in Piggottshill Lane, Harpenden, an indecent assault on a female and kidnap on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 in the same location, and kidnap on Wednesday, March 17, 2004.

                                                                                            

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter.

                                                                                            

Having initially pleaded not guilty at a hearing in April, he has now pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • Kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Piggottshill Lane, Harpenden on Sunday 7th April 2002.
  • Kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl at the same location on Wednesday 19th June 2002.

A trial has been set for Monday, September 11, in relation to a kidnap in the same areas two years later (2004), to which he has pleaded not guilty.