A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been ordered to stand trial accused of sex offences against a 15-year-old girl at Taunton.

Martin Hill, of Darlington Back Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil facing the allegations which date back more than four years ago.

He was charged that between November 1, 2014 and November 8, 2015 at Taunton he intentionally caused or incited a girl aged 15 to engage in sexual activity of a penetrative nature.

He was further alleged between the same two dates to have incited the same complainant to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature, namely by sending and receiving sexually charged messages and images over the internet.

The defendant did not enter a plea to either allegation and the magistrates said the case was so serious that he must be sent to Taunton Crown Court to stand trial.

They adjourned the case until January 7 when Hill must appear before a pre trial hearing at Taunton and in the meantime he was released on unconditional bail.