A LAKE District-based man accused of the rape and attempted rape of a young child has appeared in court.
Andrew James Mitchinson, 44, faces three charges, all of which arise out of alleged modern day incidents.
Mitchinson appeared at Carlisle Crown Court earlier today (TUES).
During a short hearing in front of Judge Peter Davies, Mitchinson pleaded not guilty to the alleged rape of a child aged under 13.
In addition, he denied both the alleged attempted rape and alleged sexual assault of the child.
Mitchinson is now due to go on trial in front of a jury at the crown court.
This trial – which, it is estimated, will last around four days – is due to start on August 13.
A further hearing will take place at the court in late June.
In the meantime, Mitchinson, of Skelghyll, Windermere, was granted bail.
One of the bail conditions stipulates that he must not have any unsupervised contact with any child aged under 16.