A man who is accused of multiple historic sexual offences will face Crown Court proceedings in March.
He appeared at Newry Magistrates’ on Wednesday 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, is charged with 12 counts of indecent assault of a male, three counts of buggery of a boy under 16 and two counts of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency.
As these charges were read, it was heard that the defendant is accused of committing these offences between October 23, of 1984, and October 24, of 1992, with all charges relating to the same alleged injured party.
Appearing in court, the man 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 solicitor Padraig Tiernan made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that he was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer.
The defendant was released to appear before Newry Crown Court on March 2 for arraignment.
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