A social worker from North Yorkshire is the latest man to face sex charges in the major inquiry into child abuse at former children's homes.

Roy Fawcett, 40, of The Avenue, Haxby, York, is accused of sexually assaulting children at a former National Children's Home in Harrogate.

He was arrested some time ago and was given police bail to appear before Harrogate magistrates today to face four charges of indecent assault and two of gross indecency.

However, the case was adjourned in his absence until August 13.

The charges relate to the late 1970s at the former Fairfield National Children's Home in Pannal Ash Road, Harrogate.

It is understood that two complainants have made allegations against Fawcett which relate to the period between 1977 and 1979.

North Yorkshire County Council was today refusing to comment until after he appeared in court.

It is understood that he has been suspended from his post, believed to involve the training of social workers.

For the past ten months a team of detectives based in Ripon has been investigating child abuse allegations at two homes in the county - the Fairfield children's home which closed in 1984 and the former Barnardo's home, in Ripon.

The National Children's Home inquiry is one of the largest of its kind ever mounted in Britain. Officers from North Yorkshire have travelled across Britain in pursuit of information from people who were in care more than 20 years ago.

Police have confirmed that there are still allegations outstanding on 11 individuals - allegations made by 23 of the 70 former residents interviewed so far.

Detectives have said that if they believe they have enough evidence to make an arrest they will not hesitate to act.

Last month, a former housemaster at the home, Harry Briggs, 44, appeared before Harrogate magistrates on eight charges of abusing boys between 1974 and 1989.

Seven of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the years up to 1984 while Briggs was at the home.

Anthony Dunne, 52, of Worcester, a former house parent at the Barnardo's home, has appeared before Harrogate magistrates on 17 child abuse charges and one of assault.

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