A HEREFORDSHIRE man has appeared in court accused of holding a person in slavery or servitude.

Fred Florence appeared before magistrates in Hereford by video link on April 20.

The 47-year-old, who wore a white shirt and black waistcoat with a pink tie for the hearing, is accused of knowingly holding another person in slavery or servitude between April 6, 2010, and July 30, 2015, and holding the same person in slavery or servitude between July 31, 2015 and September 17, 2016.

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He is also accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding the same victim with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on September 6, 2016.

Sam Lamsdale, for Florence, said he would not be entering a plea at the hearing.

Florence, who is of Katherines Walk, Ledbury, was released on unconditional bail, and will appear before Worcester Crown Court on May 18.