By Q Radio News
A 22-year-old man appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with engaging in 'sexual activity' with a girl aged between 13 and 16 years old.
Atanas Petrov, of Ballymoney Road in Ballymena, is alleged to have 'intentionally engaged in sexual touching of a person under 16 years' between New Year's Day last year and March 30, 2018.
The exact age of the girl was not given in court.
Petrov was in the dock to face one charge.
The defendant was spoken to in court with the assistance of a Bulgarian interpreter.
A police officer said he believed he could connect the accused to the charge.
A defence solicitor said the defendant had been subjected to bail conditions since April last year.
The accused was released on £500 bail with conditions.
He is to have no contact with the girl; he is not to enter an area of Ballymena and he has to sign bail at a police station every Wednesday.
The case was adjourned to April 18.
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