A FORMER BBC chauffeur from Lewisham has today denied a string of sex offences as part of the ongoing Jimmy Savile abuse investigation.

David Smith, aged 66, of Effingham Road, Lee, pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court to two counts of indecent assault on a male, two of gross indecency on a child and another sexual assault.

He was the first person to be charged under Operation Yewtree - the national investigation prompted after claims were made against disgraced TV presenter Savile.

Smith, who was arrested in December last year, is due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court on October 28.