Pensioner committed to stand trial over alleged Knottfield abuse

Committal proceedings against a pensioner accused of sexually assaulting boys at a children's home have taken place.

82-year-old Joseph Henry Marshall, of Sartfell Road in Douglas, appeared at Douglas Courthouse yesterday. 

He's previously denied five offences of indecently assaulting children - two other offences, of buggery and gross indecency, can only be tried at the Court of General Gaol Delivery. 

All of the offences were allegedly carried out at the Knottfield Children's Home between February 1974 and May 1982. 

During the court appearance he was committed to stand trial - bail was granted until his first appearance before the higher court on a date to be set.