A man who is accused of multiple historic indecent assaults and child cruelty offences is to face Crown Court proceedings later this year.
The 68-year-old appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces a total of 44 charges relating to two female and once male complainant.
These are namely; 19 counts of indecent assault on a female, seven counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, attempted indecent assault on a female and 17 counts of cruelty to a person under 16.
As the charges were read, the court heard that these offences were alleged to have been committed between October 23, of 1985, and January 20, of 1997.
Appearing in the body of the court, the accused 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 Ciara Ennis made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Bernie Kelly was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer and the defendant was released on her own bail of £500 to appear before Craigavon Crown Court on October 14 for arraignment.
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