A MAN has appeared in court charged with serious sex offences against five boys and a woman over a 17 year period.
Stanley Simpson, 49, who is accused of rape and buggery, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday, April 22).
The offences are said to have been carried out between 1981 and 1998 in the Chester-le-Street area of County Durham and Sunderland.
Simpson, of Penistone Road, Sunderland, is charged with the rape and indecent assault of a woman as well as 15 counts of indecent assault against boys under 14, ten counts of indecent assault against boys under 16, nine charges of buggery against boys under 16 and two charges of inciting a boy under the age of 14 to commit an act of gross indecency.
John Garside, prosecuting, said: “I would invite the court to send the matter to Durham Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.”
No representations were made on Simpson’s behalf and no pleas have been entered.
Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Gordon Heslop said: “This matter is serious that they are indictable only. You will be sent to Durham Crown Court.”
Simpson was granted conditional bail and will next appear on May 6.
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