A man was today sent for trial charged with kidnapping and murdering a nine-year-old Co Antrim girl in 1981.
Robert Black (62) appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court this morning to face charges of murdering and kidnapping of Jennifer Cardy.
Black, originally from Scotland but with an address in England, denies the charges.
Jennifer was cycling to a friend's house near her home in Ballinderry, Co Antrim, when she was abducted on August 12th, 1981.
Her red bike was discovered in a field beside a hedge, near her home. Her body was found six days later by anglers at McKee's Dam near Hillsborough.
Black’s solicitor Gabriel Ingram made an application for legal aid. “My client’s instruction is that he is an innocent man and will be contesting the case,” he said.
Black 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 police in an unmarked car.
He sat expressionless, surrounded by prison officers, as the two charges were read out.
Black was remanded into custody and will appear again at Craigavon Crown Court on March 1st when he will be arraigned on the charges.
