TWO men accused of historic sex offences in St Helens have appeared in court.

Alex Hughes, 31, and Daniel Ford, 35, appeared before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 23.

Hughes, of Longfield Avenue, Poulton-le-Fylde, faces 13 charges overall.

These include one count of rape of a woman, multiple counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl, two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, one count of assault by penetration and one count of assault by touching. 

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Meanwhile, Ford, of Recreation Street, Fingerpost, faces two charges of  engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl and one of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with girl.

The allegations relate to alleged offences during the 2000s and 2010s.

Magistrates sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court where the defendants are next due to appear.

Hughes and Ford are scheduled to go before the higher court on Friday, September 20.