A WREXHAM man who has denied trying to incite a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity in a decoy sting in Whitchurch will be assessed over fitness to stand trial.

Anthony Allen, 28 and of Cae Daniel in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, faces four charges which are alleged to have taken place between August 7 and September 7, 2018 in Whitchurch.

He denied the offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court last April.

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He is accused of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child called Ruby, who was in fact an adult posing as a decoy.  

Kevin Jones, defending, told Judge Peter Barrie at a new hearing on Wednesday, January 17, that there were concerns over the defendant’s mental health which had been earlier flagged by solicitors in Telford.

Mr Jones added that as he had not had contact with Allen, he was not in a position to order a medical report into his client’s mental health.

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However, he applied for the report, and a subsequent removal of a February 12 trial date, after hearing there were genuine concerns for his mental health and safety.

Judge Barrie agreed to withdraw the trial date and set a new hearing for Friday, March 1 for an update.

He also bailed Allen back to his home in Rhos after he had been remanded in custody following his bench warrant arrest.