Pensioner faces sex assault charge

Robert McComb was released in his own bail of £500 when he appeared at the Town’s Magistrates Court sitting in Newry.

The 71-year-old was also barred from entering a coffee shop in his home town.

Mr McComb grunted his way through the preliminary enquiry into the case.

He was charged with harassing the woman on dates between June 1 last year and March 26 this year and two counts of sexually assaulting the same woman on the same dates by touching her sexually without her consent.

Flanked by prison officers in the dock, Mr McComb from Daisy Hill Court, in the town, shook his head with an indecipherable grunt, confirming that he understood the charges and was not objecting to the PE.

Asked if he wanted to give evidence himself or call a witness on his behalf, Mr McComb grunted again that he wanted to do neither.

Judge Copeland ordered McComb to appear before Newry Crown Court for trial on October 30.