Esther Baker- Derby

A woman is set to stand trial next year accused of making false claims of child sexual abuse against former politicians.

Esther Baker, of Bridgeford Avenue in West Derby, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Wednesday, after being charged of four counts of perverting the course of justice in relation to the matter.

Wearing a black blazer and sporting long brown hair in the dock, the 43-year-old spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth and was not asked to enter any pleas.

However, a trial, lasting six to eight weeks, was scheduled to begin on March 22 2027.

Baker was released on unconditional bail ahead of a further hearing on June 19.

Adjourning the case, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “Esther Baker, I am going to adjourn this matter now. We have fixed a date for trial, the 22nd of March next year. I will renew your bail on the same terms as previously. The next date for you is the 19th of June. You are now free to go.”

Charge sheets state that Baker falsified allegations of abuse by ex-Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley John Hemming and the late Lib Dem peer and Labour Home Secretary Roy Jenkins, who represented Southwark, Birmingham Stechford and Glasgow Hillhead in Parliament.

She is also accused of falsely implicating Simon Cole, the former chief constable of Leicestershire Police, who died in 2022, as having aided or abetted the commission of sexual offences against her.

A fourth charge meanwhile alleges that Baker wrongly claimed that she was a victim of abuse by men in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, as well as other outdoor locations, private houses and unknown places.

The counts relate to a period between December 31, 2014 and September 19, 2020.