A Newry man who is accused of possessing indecent images of children will face Crown Court proceedings next month.
The 45-year-old appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
David Hughes, of Church Street, is charged with three counts of possessing indecent images of a child and five counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image.
As the charges were read, it was heard that all of the offences were alleged to have been committed between March 3, 2012, and May 24, 2018 .
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 solicitor John Murphy made no contrary submissions.
Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare said that he was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer.
Hughes was released on his own bail of £500 to appear before Newry Crown Court on February 11 for arraignment.
