A 38-year-old Enniskillen man has been returned for trial on a charge of perverting the course of justice after allegedly falsely claiming to have been raped.

Appearing for a committal hearing was Pearse Crudden from Drumbawn Close, who is accused of intending to pervert the course of justice by making the false allegation on February 11, 2018.

The person he is accused of making the false claim against is not identified within the charge.

The case was listed last week before Enniskillen Magistrates Court, but Crudden did not attend, although his barrister was expecting him to be present.

District Judge Steven Keown agreed to adjourn the hearing for a week and Crudden duly appeared. The charge was read to him after which a prosecuting lawyer said there is a case to answer which was agreed by Judge Keown. No details surrounding the circumstances of the case were disclosed.

Crudden did not object to the proceedings and when asked if he wished to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf replied: “Not at this time.”

Judge Keown set bail at £500 and ordered Crudden to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on 7 June