A CHARD man charged with offences of grooming a young girl and sexually assaulting her has been ordered to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court.

Ashley Allen, 22, of Stringfellow Crescent, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

He was charged that between November 1, 2015 and March 13, 2016 at Chard, being a person aged 18 or over, having on one or more occasion met or communicated with a girl under the age of 16 and not believing she was 16 or over, he intentionally met her and intended to do something that might, if done, have involved the commission of a relevant offence as defined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, namely sexual activity with a child.

He was also alleged on February 1, 2016 at an address in Chard, being a person aged 18 or over, intentionally touched a girl aged 14, not believing she was over 16, and that touching was sexual when she did not consent, involving penetration.

The defendant did not enter pleas to these alleged offences and the magistrates said they were so serious that Allen had to be sent to the crown court to stand trial.

The defendant pleaded guilty to a third charge of being in possession of a quantity of cannabis (class B) March 24.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens said that when Allen was arrested by police for the substantive offences he was searched at the police station and found in possession of a quantity of cannabis.

Defending solicitor Chris Baddoo said that there was a small amount of cannabis in his client’s possession when he was arrested.

“He is currently not working and not claiming benefits, but is entitled to receive Job Seekers Allowance,” he said.

The magistrates adjourned the case for the first two offences until January 3 when Allen must appear before a preliminary hearing at Taunton Crown Court and released him on unconditional bail.

For the drugs offence he was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge. A destruction order was also issued for the cannabis.