AN Eden Valley man accused of rape and a string of child sex offences has appeared in court.
Andrew Kitching, aged 36, of Meadow Court, Langwathby, faces a total of seven charges.
Two allege rape while a further two allege that he caused a child to engage in sexual activity.
One charge alleges that Kitching sexually communicated with a child, one alleges sexual activity with a child and another alleges that incited a child to engage in sexual activity.
Kitching appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to each of the seven charges when they were read to him by a court clerk.
A trial was listed with a start date of 3rd February next year.
In the meantime Kitching was granted conditional bail and told by judge, His Honour Nicholas Barker, that he must next attend a case review hearing at the crown court on 31st May.
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