A 50-year-old man has appeared in court accused of attempting to rape a teenage girl he allegedly met through the Internet.
Sephton Allen, of Derby, denies the offence, as well as one count of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.
Newcastle Crown Court was told the offences were said to have taken place in Northumberland, in January, after he made contact with the 14-year-old through an Internet chatroom.
The case was adjourned until July 14. Mr Allen was bailed on condition that he resides at an address which was not read in court, that he did not contact the teenage complainant, that he did not travel to Northumberland and that he did not acquire a computer or communicate through the Internet.
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