A WEST Belfast man has appeared in court charged with rape.

Standing in the public area of Lisburn Magistrates Court 54-year-old James William Shaw confirmed that he understood the single charge against him, alleging to have occurred on February 23.

None of the alleged facts were opened in court but during a brief Preliminary Enquiry, but a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a case for Shaw to answer. That was conceded by defence counsel Richard McConkey and although Shaw, from Rowan Drive in Dunmurry, was told he had the right to comment on the charge and to call evidence on his own behalf but he declined the opportunity.

Freeing him on his own bail of £500, District Judge Rosie Watters returned the case to Craigavon Crown Court and extending legal aid to allow a senior barrister to be instructed, she scheduled the arraignment to be heard on January 17.