A YEOVIL man has appeared in court charged with an historic allegation of indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl.

Neil Lawrence, 60, of Chatsworth Road, appeared in the dock before District Judge Angela Brereton, sitting at Yeovil.

He was charged with indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 16 at Yeovil between June 1,1988 and June 1, 1989.

Prosecutor Ben Winzer said the alleged offence was said to have taken place while the complainant was taking a bath.

Lawrence pleaded not guilty to the offence and the district judge refused to accept jurisdiction for the case, ordering him to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court.

She adjourned proceedings until October 7 when he must appear at a preliminary hearing, currently being heard at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court. In the meantime he was given unconditional bail.