Jennifer Cardy: Found dead in 1981
A Scot has appeared in court in Northern Ireland accused of murdering a nine-year-old girl 28 years ago.
Robert Black, 62, is accused of kidnapping and killing Jennifer Cardy near Lisburn in County Down.
His solicitor, Gabriel Ingram, told Lisburn Magistrates' Court his client would be denying the allegation, saying: "He is an innocent man and he will be contesting the charges."
Jennifer was cycling to a friend's house near her Ballinderry, Co Antrim, home when she was abducted on August 12, 1981. Her red bike was discovered a few days later by two anglers near her body at McKee's Dam, near Hillsborough, Co Down.
Black, who currently resides in England, spoke only to confirm that he understood the charges during the five-minute preliminary inquiry.
With grey receding hair, wearing glasses and a bright blue pullover, he arrived before 10am in a white prison van protected by riot police in an unmarked car.
Black sat expressionless, surrounded by prison officers, as the two charges were read out, of taking and carrying away Jennifer against her will and murdering her.
Resident Magistrate Rosemary Watters referred the case to Craigavon Crown Court, where he will be arraigned on March the first.
Last updated: 22 January 2010, 12:39
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