[A] Carlisle man has appeared in court to face one charge of rape.
Official court papers show the allegation took place between July 15 and September 5, 1970.
The allegation is that Thomas Ian Messenger, 61, of Morton Rigg, Carlisle, allegedly raped a female under the age of 16.
Messenger appeared at Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates Court, during the short hearing he indicated a not guilty plea to the allegation through his lawyer, his next court appearance will be at the Crown Court in Carlisle on November 13.
