A FIFTY-year-old Wigton man has appeared before a Carlisle court charged with five alleged child sex offences.

Gary Griffiths, of George Street, Wigton, did not formally enter pleas to the allegations he is facing but his lawyer told Carlisle’s Rickergate court that the defendant intends to deny all of the charges.

The charges were outlined in court as one count of rape, one of attempted rape, and three allegations of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Griffiths spoke only to confirm his personal details during the hearing. He was represented by defence lawyer Mike Pope. Magistrates sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on July 14.

They granted the defendant bail on condition that he does not enter Wigton, that he has no contact with the alleged victim, and that he has no intentional contact with any person aged under 16. At the start of the hearing, Griffiths provided a current address of Rudds Court, Whitehaven.