At the first hearing the defendant is given the opportunity of entering a plea. Given that the offence appears to have been so serious it appears to have been "committed" to the Crown Court (I am not sure whether it has already been sent to the CC or whether it is going to be sent to the CC). However, at the first hearing in the CC, it will be normally be a plea and case management hearing. It is at this point that the D will officially enter his plea of either guilty or not guilty. If guilty, it will go on to the sentencing procedure, if not guilty, the trial time table will be set down.
So to answer your question - at this point the defendant has not said whether he is guilty or not guilty. This is NOT unusual. It sounds as if he will go "not guilty" (quite normal in sexual offence type cases) for now. Things can change though.
When you get the opportunity talk to your family liaison officer.