Reading Magistrates' Court: Newbury man on child sex charges

A NEWBURY man has been sent to the Crown Court on child sex charges.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, May 11, was Stephen John Punter.

The 36-year-old, of Middleton Court, is charged with attempting to cause a girl aged under 16 years to engage in sexual activity involving penetration.

In addition Mr Punter is accused of intentionally trying to communicate with a girl aged under 16 years, who he did not reasonably believe to be over 16 years, in communication, that communication being sexual.

A charge of causing or inciting a girl aged under 16 years to engage in penetrative sexual activity was withdrawn.

The child can not be identified for legal reasons.

All the above offences were said to have been committed between specified dates in the summer of 2019.

Magistrates ruled that the charges were so serious that, in the event of a conviction, their powers of punishment could be insufficient.

They therefore declined further jurisdiction.

Mr Punter, who spoke only to confirm his details, was legally represented at the hearing by Robert Jaques.

Magistrates sent the entire case to be dealt with by a judge and, in the event of a trial, by a jury sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Mr Punter was meanwhile released on unconditional bail.