THE jury trial of the former leader of Worcestershire County Council could be moved from Worcester to Birmingham Crown Court next year.

Judge John Cavell said on Monday he supported the move after hearing arguments from a defence barrister.

George Lord, aged 79, of Belle Vue Close, Marlbrook Close in Bromsgrove, has pleaded not guilty to nine sex charges.

He denies sexually assaulting a woman on October 27 last year and indecently assaulting a girl of 14 or 15 between 1977 and 1979.

His defence counsel Brett Wilson told Worcester Crown Court that if the trial was held in the city there was a risk of prejudice through jury bias.

That could infringe Lord's right to a fair trial.

He claimed some members of the public, who might be selected as jurors, could be prejudiced because of their political persuasions.

Judge Cavell said the final decision would have to be made by the presiding judge, a High Court judge in charge of the circuit.

The eventual trial judge would have to decide if the two indictments against Lord would be joined at trial, so that both cases involving the two women would be put before the jury.

A preliminary trial date had been fixed for Worcester in March next year, but that date could change.

Lord was granted bail to a date to be fixed on condition he makes no contact with any prosecution witness.

Lord resigned as county council leader and as a councillor in November last year.

He had represented Alvechurch and was made county council leader in 2001.

The former teacher worked as a university lecturer and has degrees in philosophy, theology and social sciences.