Hi °C | Lo °C A wheelchair-bound man was returned for trial yesterday charged with raping a girl in Belfast.
Nigel Hall, whose leg was partially amputated following an accident, is also accused of indecent assault and committing an act of gross indecency with the child.
The 38-year-old, who was living in east Belfast at the time of the alleged offences in 2008, has since returned to live in his native England. Hall appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court in his wheelchair for a preliminary inquiry into the case.
A Public Prosecution Service representative applied to have him sent for trial at the city's Crown Court on a date to be set.
Granting the request, District Judge Fiona Bagnall agreed to allow the accused out on continuing bail.
He is to stay at an address in England and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.
