JURORS were due to retire today to consider their verdict on a Hampshire businessman facing sex allegations.

This morning, Judge Derwin Hope was continuing his summing-up in the case of Robert Giddings, 54, of Wayside Road, Ringwood.

During his week-long trial at Southampton Crown Court, he has denied four counts of historic indecent assault which, according to the prosecution, reflect multiple incidents of him molesting three girls.

Jurors have been told the abuse against the children, all under 14, date back 20 years.

Until his arrest last year, Giddings was sales director and partner at RF Giddings sawmill at Bartley in the New Forest.