Man, 23, appears in court charged with abduction and sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl in Greater Manchester

A 23-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with the abduction and sexual assault of a six-year-old girl.

Lewis Jones, 23, was last night charged with two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of abduction.

It comes after a schoolgirl was allegedly taken into woodland and assaulted in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, at 4.10pm on Wednesday.

The child was reunited with her family a short time later, but parents were warned to be "extra vigilant".

Jones, from Liverpool, Merseyside, this morning appeared in Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court.

Mr Jones spoke only to confirm his name and hometown during a short hearing.

Wearing a grey top and joggers, Mr Jones was told his case would be transferred to Manchester Crown Court, where he will appear on September 1.

Ruth Mann, prosecuting, said: "I would ask that the matter is sent to Crown court. There will be an application to remand him in custody."

Mark Dallas, representing Jones, made no application for bail.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for GMP said: "We would once again like to thank members of the public for their assistance in this investigation."

Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt, of GMP’s Tameside district, added: "We are aware of the ongoing impact on the community and so additional patrols have been deployed and this will continue for the foreseeable.

"Anyone who is concerned should speak to officers directly or via our website.

"We also understand the interest this case will have generated, but it is absolutely imperative that the suspect has a fair trial, so we ask members of the public to refrain from engaging in conversations online, at least until proceedings have concluded.

"As ever, our work doesn’t stop here, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this investigation, but our enquiries are still ongoing and we have lots of work to do."

Anyone with information which may further support the investigation are asked to call 0161 856 9262, quoting log number 2270 of August 17.