A MAN was due to appear in court today charged with 13 indecency offences involving an eight-year-old girl.

Neil Anthony Pimblett, 32 of Merchants Quay, Blackburn, faces six allegations of inciting the girl to commit acts of gross indecency with him, five charges of indecently assaulting her, two of taking indecent photographs of her and one of possession of an indecent photograph.

All the offences are alleged to have been committed between June 2000 and September 2001 and are specimen charges.

After hearing details of the allegations at a hearing on Friday Blackburn magistrates directed they should be heard at Preston Crown Court.

Pimblett was expected to appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing this morning.