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Ten accused of forcing musician acquitted on sex charges to flee

TEN people are to stand trial accused of forcing a folk musician - ultimately cleared of sexually abusing a girl - to flee his home.

The six women and four men are charged with intimidating Francis McPeake to leave his house in Belfast through force, threats or menaces.

Eight of them are also accused of riotous assembly during an incident in September 2013.

Mr McPeake (72), quit his home in the Markets district after a crowd gathered in the area.

At the time the well-known traditional Irish musician was facing accusations of having committed sexual offences against a 15-year-old schoolgirl.

But he was acquitted of all 12 charges against him following a two-week trial last year.

Prosecutions have now been brought over the earlier incident.

The accused attended Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday for a preliminary enquiry to establish if they have a case to answer.

A Courts Service spokesman confirmed they were all returned for Crown Court trial on a date to be fixed.

All of the defendants remain on bail until those proceedings get under way.

* THREATS: Traditional Irish musician Francis McPeake