Lord Janner to face 'trial of facts' over child sex claims

Lord Janner will stand trial over child sex abuse claims - but he will not face jail as he is too ill to put forward a defence.

A "trial of facts" is expected to be heard on February 22 next year.

The process will involve witnesses giving evidence so a jury can decide if he did the acts he is accused of.

But as the former Labour peer is in the advanced stages of dementia, he cannot be found guilty or be sentenced by a court.

Instead, the most that can be imposed is a hospital order, a supervision order or the defendant's absolute discharge.

Janner, who is now 87, is accused of 22 sex charges against nine victims, most of whom were under 16 at the time.

The alleged offences are said to have been carried out between the 1960s and 1980s.

The ex-MP for Leicester was excused from attending the Old Bailey hearing today.

A fitness to plead hearing has been scheduled for December 7.