A 78-year-old man has been returned for trial on multiple historic sexual offences against a female child, some of which date back 45 years.

David Edward Parkinson of University Street, Belfast is accused of two counts of rape, five of gross indecency with a child and four of indecent assault on a child.

Offending is alleged to have occurred on various dates over a seven year period between 1976 and 1983.

No details of the alleged offending were disclosed during the short committal hearing before Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

Parkinson, dressed in a suit and white shirt, appeared to struggle to hear the charges as they were read, however confirmed he understood them and did not object to the proceedings.

A lawyer appearing for the prosecution confirmed there is a case to answer which was agreed by District Judge Steven Keown.

Parkinson declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage.

Judge Keown remanded him on £500 bail to appear before Dungannon Crown Court for arraignment next month.