Breaking news - Some sex charges against couple dropped

Keith Malcolm Baker, 58, with an address at Maghaberry Prison, and Caroline Bernadette Baker, 51, formerly of Drumellan Mews, Moyraverty had each been charged with a number of sexual offences against the woman.

However, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced on Monday it would not proceed with those charges.

Their prosecution over the alleged offences against the mentally ill woman will go ahead.

In a statement, the PPS said: “While they were also investigated in respect of allegations involving a second female, following consideration of the available evidence by a senior public prosecutor and having taken the advice of independent senior counsel, it was concluded that the test for prosecution was not met to prosecute either of them for any offence involving this second person.”

Last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court, the Bakers were sent to the Crown Court for trial on a string of sexual crimes allegedly committed against a woman with severe learning disabilities.

Keith Baker faces a number of offences including rape and indecent assault, false imprisonment, false imprisonment to commit sex offences, sexual activity with a person suffering from a mental disability and inciting a person with a mental disability to engage in sexual activity, all alleged to have occurred on dates between 1 May 2004 and 20 December 2012.

His wife Caroline is accused of offences allegedly committed against the same woman including aiding and abetting rape, false imprisonment, false imprisonment to commit a sexual offence, indecent assault, sexual activity with a person with a mental disability and inciting a mentally disabled person to engage in sexual activity, all alleged to have occurred between the same dates.

They are due back in court on 13 June.