Newcastle pensioner in court accused of sexually assaulting males in Leazes Park
Qurban Ahmadi, 70, is alleged to have carried out the assaults on two separate dates in the city centre park
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA man has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting two males in a city centre park.
Qurban Ahmadi is alleged to have carried out the assaults on two dates in January and February this year. The suspected offences were said to have been committed by the 70-year-old in Leazes Park, in Newcastle City Centre.
Ahmadi, of Queens Court, also in the city centre, appeared in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week. Through an interpreter, he was asked to confirm his name, date of birth and address but would only confirm his name.
Ahmadi faced two counts of sexual assault but withheld his plea to both charges. Stephen Davies, prosecuting, said: "This case isn't suitable for summary trial and should be sent to the crown court."
Declining jurisdiction, District Judge Paul Currer said: "You are charged with two offences, which are serious. Because of the complications in your case, it's not suitable to be tried in this court.
"So, I'm sending your case to Newcastle Crown Court to be dealt with there. You will appear before Newcastle Crown Court on November 13 at 10am. You must attend on that date and time.
"If you fail to attend, you potentially commit an offence for which you could be prosecuted. Please ensure you attend at 10am. The court is in this building but on the floors above. There is one condition to your bail and that is you're not allowed in Leazes Park."
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