The American who claims he should have custody of the twin baby girls adopted by a British couple over the Internet has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing two sisters. Richard Allen and his wife Vickie have been battling Alan and Judith Kilshaw from Mold, Flintshire, north Wales, for custody of the twins in a transatlantic tug-of-love case.
Allen, 49, pleaded not guilty to charges of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and her 14-year-old sister as they babysat at his home in Highland, a suburb of San Bernardino, California. Allen, 49, appeared at San Bernardino Central Court by video-link room from the county jail, where he is being held on the charges pending trial or payment of a $150,000 bail bond.
Susan Mickey, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino district attorney, said that he was considered a slight risk. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty, said Miss Mickey. A bail hearing was set for March 12 and a preliminary hearing in the case was set for 14 March. It is unclear how long it may be before Allen is brought to trial for the alleged offences. He was arrested on Tuesday after an investigation by child welfare workers.
