TWO men have appeared before a judge accused of abducting a 13-year-old girl from Nelson.
Dale Beresford, 22, of Temple Street, Nelson admitted one charge of abducting a child between 27 August and September 1, when he appeared on video link from HMP Preston.
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But he denied a second charge of abducting a child on August 27.
His co-accused Dean Hughes, 47, of Temple Street, Nelson, is also accused of abduction and a separate charge of engaging in sexual activity with the girl, who can not be named for legal reasons.
He was not arraigned at yesterday’s hearing as the judge deemed his defence needed more time.
The court heard officers launched a search for the girl after she went missing on Sunday, August 28. She was found in the Cumbria area on Thursday, September 1.
Defending Hughes, Kevin Donnelly said his client would deny all sexual allegations.
The men were remanded in custody and will next appear at Burnley Crown Court for a case management hearing on November 7, where Hughes will be arraigned.
A three-day trial has been provisionally listed for February 13 at Preston Crown Court.
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