Reading Magistrates' Court: Theale man accused of trying to meet boy, 13, in Greenham for sex
A MAN has appeared in court charged with sex offences involving a 13-year-old boy.
In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, October 5, was Mark Richards.
The 65-year-old, of Leonard Court, off James Butcher Drive in Theale, is accused of arranging to meet the child in Newbury Retail Park in Greenham to engage in sexual activity with him.
The 65-year-old, of Leonard Court, off James Butcher Drive in Theale, is accused of arranging to meet the child in Newbury Retail Park in Greenham to engage in sexual activity with him.
Mr Richards is also charged with a second offence of communicating with a child to persuade him to engage in such activity.
Both those offences were said to have occurred in Newbury on June 16 last year.
Finally Mr Richards, who was legally represented by Gianpaolo Damiani, is charged with attempting to communicate with the 13-year-old for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification in Theale on the same date.
District judge Samuel Goozee declined further jurisdiction and sent all three matters to Reading Crown Court to be dealt with by a judge and, in the event of a trial, by a jury.
Mr Richards was meanwhile granted unconditional bail.