THE trial of folk singer Roy Harper - who denies sexual abuse allegations in Herefordshire dating back to the 1970s - has been adjourned until Friday after the jury was told the defence needed to read through "new material" that had come to light.

Harper, aged 73, denies three charges of indecent assault, four of indecency with a child and two of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 on various dates between 1975 and 1977.

Those alleged offences involve the same girl, who was then aged 11 or 12.

Harper, now of Rossmore, near Clonakilty, Co Cork, who achieved fame as a musician during the 1970s, further denies an allegation of indecent assault between May 23 1980 and January 1 1981 involving a girl aged 16.

The allegations involving the younger girl are alleged to have happened when she visited Harper's then home - Vauld (correct) Farm in Marden, Herefordshire.

The prosecution says the alleged indecent assault on the older girl happened at a house in Hereford.

The younger girl was due to be cross-examined by the defence today from a curtained witness box, shielded from the defendant.

But at Worcester Crown Court this morning Judge Robert Juckes QC told the jury: "Material which the defence need to read has come to light. No-one is at fault for it coming to light at a late stage."

The judge adjourned the hearing until Friday morning.