A BRIDGWATER man accused of committing historic sex offences involving a young girl has been sent to Taunton Crown Court to stand trial.

George Robert Smith is alleged to have carried out the offences at Wincanton over a three year period.

The 65-year-old defendant, of West Street, Bridgwater, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

He was charged with two similar offences that between March 5, 2011 and March 4, 2014 at Wincanton he intentionally touched a girl aged between six and 10, and that touching was sexual.

He was also alleged, between the same two dates, to have intentionally caused a girl aged between six and 10 to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature. He did not enter any pleas.

The magistrates refused to accept the case and ordered the defendant to be sent to the crown court to be dealt with.

They adjourned all matters until February 4 when he must appear before a pre-trial hearing at Taunton.

In the meantime he was released on unconditional bail.