A 44-YEAR-OLD Darwen man charged with four counts of gross indecency against a child under 16 had his case adjourned.

Brian McAuley, of Heys Lane, appeared at Burton Magistrates Court yesterday. The incidents were said to have taken place in Uttoxeter, Darwen and other areas of the country, in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Darwen incident is said to have taken place between September 2, 1980, and September 2, 1981.

The case was adjourned for four weeks until Tuesday, July 15, after the Crown Prosecution Service misplaced a file.

McAuley, who denied the charges, was granted unconditional bail.