Man, 94, on sex charge

Last updated 13:04, Thursday, 09 October 2008

A 94-year-old man made a brief appearance in a Carlisle court this morning on a sex charge.

Charles Graham

Charles Graham, who lives in a care home in north Cumbria, denied the charge against him and now faces a Crown Court trial.

Graham, who was born in March 1914, is accused of causing an elderly woman to engage in sexual activity with him against her will on August 25 this year.

District Judge Gerald Chalk, sitting at the city magistrates’ court, declined jurisdiction in the case which means it will now go before a jury sometime in the new year.

Graham, who appeared to be hard of hearing and had to be asked several times to confirm his name, age and address, must return to the magistrates’ court for further proceedings on December 4.

Graham, who was accompanied to court by a responsible adult, was represented by solicitor Malcolm Dodds.

The nature of the allegation was outlined briefly this morning by prosecutor Pam Ward but details can’t be published at this stage for legal reasons.

The identity of the alleged victim is protected by law.