CHARD MAN STUART GAGE DENIES INDECENT ASSAULT OF YOUNG GIRL AND GROSS INDECENCY
A CHARD man has appeared in court accused facing historic allegations of sexually abusing a young girl in the town.Stuart Leslie Gage, 59, of Millfield, appeared before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil facing eight separate allegations said to have taken place at Chard on dates between August 19, 2002 and March 22, 2004.
He was charged with seven counts of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14 years.
He was further alleged to have committed an act of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 16.
Gage denied all the offences and prosecutor Christine Hart said the case involved a number of alleged activities including penetration on one occasion.
The Magistrates refused jurisdiction for the case and ordered the defendant to stand trial before Taunton Crown Court.
They adjourned all matters until Monday, January 4, when he must appear for a preliminary hearing at Taunton.
In the meantime he was released on bail banning him from contacting the complainant directly or indirectly, with a condition that he must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly or through any form of social media.
