An 84-year-old Coleraine man has had a historic case of alleged indecent assault sent to the Crown Court today, Friday, September 6.
At Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, John Doherty, residing at Blackthorn Court, Coleraine, is facing a charge of indecent assault on a female, an offence alleged to have occurred between May 12, 1984, and May 14, 1986, in violation of section 52 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Appearing via videolink from home alongside his solicitor, Doherty acknowledged he had received the papers in the case and understood the charge against him, agreeing to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
However, he chose not to exercise his legal rights to give evidence, respond to the charges, call witnesses, or submit any written statements.
The case was presented during a preliminary enquiry, a legal procedure to decide if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to the Crown Court.
The prosecutor argued that there is a prima facie case to answer. With no opposing defence submissions from the defendant’s barrister, Alan Stewart, District Judge Peter King concluded that a prima facie case had been established based on the documentation before the court.
Judge King ordered Doherty to be returned to Antrim Crown Court under his own bail of £500, for arraignment on October 24.