A man has appeared in court accused of a raping and sexually assaulting a young girl.

William Crosswell, 37, faces eight charges involving alleged offences of under age sexual activity dating back seven years. 

He was brought before Norwich Magistrates’ Court in custody having been arrested after failing to attend a previous hearing.

The charges he faces include the rape of a girl aged under 13.

Other allegations are that he sexually assaulted a girl under 13 and caused someone aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He is also alleged to have caused a girl under 13 to watch or look at images of sexual activity.

Rima Begum, prosecuting, said the offences date back to 2017 and 2018. 

He had first been interviewed by police about them in July 2021, she added.

Crosswell, of Morleys Leet in King's Lynn, did not enter a plea to any of the charges.

Magistrates committed the case to Norwich Crown Court with a preliminary hearing on May 15.

Prosecutors did not oppose the granting of conditional bail.