A Co. Armagh man who is accused of eleven counts of rape and cruelty to a child under 16 will face Crown Court proceedings later this year.
The 49-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.
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with eleven counts of rape and one of cruelty to a person under 16.
As the charges were read, it was heard that all of the alleged offences were said to have occurred between September 20, of 2006, and October 23, of 2007.
The defendant is accused of committing all of the offences on a single injured party.
Appearing via videolink from his solicitor’s office, 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 Joel Lindsay 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 Newry Crown Court on August 17 for arraignment.
