Notorious Liverpool gangster Steven French has pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape at Liverpool Crown Court today.
Mr French, 56, nicknamed The Devil operated as one of Liverpool’s most high profile criminals during the 1980s and 1990s, and he appeared by video link from HMP Preston at today’s hearing.
He is charged with one count of rape, two counts of assault on the victim and one other count of threatening to a kill a man, he pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
Mr French’s defence team have strongly denied the charges and they intend to prove his innocence.
“The defence to these allegations is going to be that this is a malicious allegation”, said Gareth Thomas, Mr French’s defence lawyer.
A trial date has been requested for October 17th 2016.