A MAN appeared in court yesterday to answer charges of indecent assault, rape and child cruelty.
John Todd, from Dowbiggin Foot, Sedbergh, in Cumbria, appeared at Teesside Crown Court charged with ten alleged offences after the case was transferred from Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court.
The 51-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 16, three counts of raping a girl who was under 16 and cruelty to a person under 16.
Mr Todd was granted bail on condition that he resides at his home address, does not interfere with prosecution witnesses and does not enter Willington or Hunwick.
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