A Gilford man who is accused of raping and sexually assaulting a female will face Crown Court proceedings next month.
The 72-year-old appeared at Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Samuel John Boyce, of Locard Park, is charged with rape, two counts of sexual assault and sexual assault of a child under 13.
As the charges were read, it was heard that all of the offences were alleged to have been committed on a single female injured party.
The defendant is accused of sexually assaulting the female whilst she was under the age of 13, on a date unknown between November 19, of 2009, and November 20, of 2011.
Boyce is alleged to have sexually assaulted the female on two further occasions on unknown dates between September 1, of 2014, and November 20, of 2015.
The allegation of rape is also said to have occurred on a date unknown between September 1, of 2014, and November 20, of 2015.
Appearing via videolink from his solicitor’s office, the defendant made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence barrister Seamus Lannon made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Bernie Kelly, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released Boyce on continuing bail to appear at Newry Crown Court on February 8.
