A Co Down man has appeared in court accused of subjecting a woman to repeated rape and sexual assaults over the course of two days.
Appearing at Newtownards Magistrates Court 56-year-old Darrell Harvey confirmed that he was aware of the 12 sex offences against him, all alleged to have been committed between May 19 and 20 2018.
Harvey, from the Circular Road in Ards, faces six charges of rape, five of sexual assault and one charge of causing the complainant to engage in a sexual act when she did not consent.
None of the facts surrounding the offences were opened in court.
During a brief preliminary enquiry, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a case for the defendant to answer.
Defence counsel Noel Dillon raised no contrary submissions ad Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said he was “satisfied there is a clear prima facie case”.
Harvey was told that although not obliged to he had the right to call evidence on his own behalf or to comment on the charges but he declined.
Returning the case to Downpatrick Crown Court, DJ Mateer did not set a date for the arraignment and extending legal aid to allow a senior barrister to be instructed for the defence “given the serious nature of the case,” he freed Harvey on his own bail of £500 with a condition not to contact the complainant.