A man accused of sexually assaulting a child under 13 will face Crown Court proceedings later this year.
The 38-year-old appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court 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 two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of sexual assault.
As the charges were read, court heard that all of the alleged offences related to a single injured party.
The defendant is accused of intentional sexual touching of this female on two occasions between January 1, of 2016, and December 31, of 2016.
He is further alleged to have committed the same act on this female on a date between November 1, of 2019, and March 1, of 2020.
Appearing via in court, 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 counsel made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Eamonn King said that he was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer.
The defendant was released on his own bail of £1,000 to appear before Newry Crown Court on October 5 for arraignment.
Conditions of his bail include that he have no contact with the alleged injured party, no contact with any person under 18 without the supervision of Social Services along with a geographical prohibition.
