Bury St Edmunds man gets Ipswich Crown Court date over historic child sex allegations

A Bury St Edmunds man is facing 14 historic charges of sex offences, all allegedly committed against victims under 13.

Gregory Mackender, 26, of The Daubentons, is alleged to have committed the crimes between 2004 and 2011 but has been under investigation for the past six years.

He appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court today but will return to the town’s Crown Court on April 29 for a plea hearing and trial preparation. He is yet to enter a plea.

Mackender is accused of: Four counts of raping a boy under 13; three counts of raping a girl under 13; two counts of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching; three counts of engaging with sex with a child under 13 with penetration; and two counts of engaging in a sexual activity with a child under 13 without penetration.

All alleged offences were said to have been committed in Bury St Edmunds.

Chair of Magistrates Malcolm Hogarth said: “These are cases we cannot deal with (in this court because of the court’s authority).

“You will need to be at Ipswich Crown Court on April 29 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.”

Mackender has been granted unconditional bail.

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