A Co. Armagh man who is accused of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in a sexual activity will face Crown Court proceedings later this year.
The 20-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 a single count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in a sexual activity.
As the charges were read, it was heard that this was alleged to have been committed on an unknown date between December 13, of 2015, and September 1, of 2017.
Appearing in the dock, 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 solicitor Richard Montieth made no contrary submissions, only commenting: “The bar is set so low these days”.
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released the defendant on continuing bail to appear before Newry Crown Court on September 7 for arraignment.
