THE case of a 47-year-old Dursley man accused of a sex offences against a girl could not go ahead at Gloucester Crown Court today because he could not hear the proceedings via video link from prison.

Philip Dowling of St George's Road, Dursley, has been committed to the court on five charges of sexually penetrating a girl aged between the ages of 11 and 15 over the period 2011 to 2016.

He is also accused of making indecent photographs of a child and of meeting or communicating with a girl in January this year with a view to committing a sexual offence.

However, due to hearing difficulties over the video link today the case could not go any further.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny told Judge Ian Lawrie QC that it was likely the case could in due course be 'resolved' without the need for a trial.

“It is highly unlikely this will be a trial,” he said. “But a plea trial and preparation hearing cannot take place this morning, primarily due to hearing difficulties over the video link.”

The judge said to Dowling's lawyer, Clare Fear “You need to speak to him face to face in light of his hearing difficulties.”

The case against Dowling was adjourned until May 18 and he was further remanded in custody till then.