Andrew Christian Godding, aged 46, of Richmond Close, Douglas, has denied five sexual offences.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a child, two of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16, and one of possessing indecent images of children.

Three other charges, of inciting a person under 16 to commit gross indecency and one of buggery with a person under 16 can be heard only at the Court of General Gaol Delivery so he is yet to enter pleas to those.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane said that the charges to which Mr Godding had entered not guilty pleas were also not suitable for summary court as the allegations involved a child who was 13 at the time, when he was 42.

The charge relating to images is alleged between 2001 and 2002 and does not involve the same complainant.

Seven images are alleged, assessed on the Copine scale as four at level one, one at level three, and two at level four.

The Copine scale is used to measure the severity of images, with level five being the most severe.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes declined jurisdiction for the allegations which could have been heard in summary court, except for the images charge.

Mr Godding was committed to appear at the Court of General Gaol Delivery on a date to be set.

A pre-trial review will be held in summary court for the possession of images charge on August 17.

Bail continues in the sum of £500 with conditions to reside at his home address, not to contact the complainant, and not to leave the island without court consent.