A FORMER boarding school employee has pleaded not guilty to abusing three boys in North Devon in the 1970s and 1980s.

Steven Joyce, aged 65, of Erme Drive, Ivybridge, denied a total of 11 charges when he appeared before Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, at Exeter Crown Court.

Joyce is accused of two counts of sexual assault, eight of indecent assault, and one of gross indecency. They were allegedly committed against boys aged ten to 12 between 1979 and 1984.

The judge set a timetable for the exchange of prosecution and defence cases and fixed a trial date for May 17, 2017. Joyce was released on bail.