THE trial of a retired Christchurch fireman, charged with sexually assaulting a boy almost 40 years ago, will begin in December.

David Bryant, 62, of Grove Road East, Christchurch, is accused of a serious sex crime on a boy aged between 12 and 15.

Bryant worked as a part-time retained firefighter for 40 years in Christchurch and finished his fire service career in 2006 as retained station manager. After that he worked on a voluntary basis.

His trial is due to start on December 16 at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Bryant narrowly escaped death during the hurricane in October 1987 when a falling tree crushed the cab of a Christchurch fire engine, killing two comrades and injuring two more.

Last month, Bournemouth Magistrates Court heard that the sex charge dates between January 1, 1976, and December 31, 1978, and the alleged offence took place at Christchurch Fire Station on Fairmile Road.

Bryant was told that his case could only be dealt with by Bournemouth Crown Court and was released on unconditional bail.

During his time at the station, Bryant battled some famous fires across the region including the 1974 Bournemouth bus station blaze, the forest fires of the summer of ’76 and the BDH chemical works explosion in Poole in 1988.

In 2006 Bryant became an honorary freeman of Christ-church Borough Council in recognition of his 40 years service to the community.

He recently resigned the position, Christchurch Borough Council confirmed.

Bryant was working on a voluntary basis for Dorset Fire and Rescue when the allegation was made and he was immediately suspended from the role. The suspension will remain until the outcome of the investigation and subsequent trial are known.