A SIXTY-YEAR-OLD pastor has appeared in court accused of indec- ently assaulting a girl more than 10 years ago.

Carmarthen Magistrates' Court heard that David Protheroe Morris, of Llety Fforddolion, Llanpumsaint, was a member of a local church group and had allegedly committed the offence in the 1990s.

The girl was aged 12 at the time of the alleged offence, the court heard.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge of indecent assault on a girl aged under 14.

The court was told that the allegation had only been made recently.

Defence solicitor Peter Davies applied for the name of Morris not to be made public.

This request was refused by the magistrates.

The bench did approve of a reporting restriction not to identify the alleged victim or some of the prosecution witnesses.

Mr Davies told the magistrates that the prosecution evidence had only been served on the defence two days before the court hearing.

He added that some evidence was also missing and called for a two-week adjournment in order to properly review the case.

The matter was adjourned until March 31 for a mode-of-trial hearing at Carmarthen Magistrates' Court.

It was requested that the next hearing be held in Welsh.

Morris was released on condition that he does not contact prosecution witnesses or have contact with a child aged under 16 years of age.

graeme.wilkinson@swwmedia.co.uk