Roy Harper Charged with Child Sex Offences
The musician has been charged with sex offences against a girl from the age of 12 in the 1970s (Reuters)

Folk singer Roy Harper has been charged with sex offences against a girl from the age of 12 in the 1970s.

Harper, 72, is due to appear before Hereford Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of nines counts of sexual assault, West Mercia Police said.

The veteran folk singer, who lives in Clonakilty, County Cork, is alleged to have committed the crimes in Herefordshire between 1975 and 1977 and all charges relate to one victim.

A police spokesman said: "The summons relates to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and four counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14.

"The charges are in connection with offences alleged to have taken place in Herefordshire between 1975 and 1977 and relate to one victim."

The summons was issued to the singer on 16 October after he was voluntarily interviewed by policy on 22 February.

The musician has produced over 30 albums throughout his career and performed a sold out tour last month.

He sang lead vocals on Pink Floyd's Have a Cigar on their 1975 classic album Wish You Were Here and was awarded the MOJO Hero Award by the music magazine in 2005.