A Newton Aycliffe man has appeared in court charged with a string of child sex offences.

Joss Hellem, of Secker Place in Newton Aycliffe, appeared before the town’s magistrates court on Monday (July 15).

According to court documents he faces ten charges including engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged under 14, messaging the girl and asking for explicit photos, and causing her to watch or look at images of sexual activity.

 

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Hellem entered no pleas during the short hearing before magistrates, who decided to send the case straight to the crown court.

He will appear before a judge at Durham Crown Court on August 12, where it is expected he will enter a plea.

The 23-year-old was granted bail with conditions not to contact his alleged victim or enter certain areas of the town.