A man accused of rape and sexual activity with a child has been banned from the area where his alleged victim lives.
The prohibition was placed on the 40-year-old suspect, who cannot be named to protect the girl's identity, as part of conditions under which he was granted bail.
He faces a total of four charges, including two counts of sexual assault, allegedly committed in north Belfast between June 2009 and September this year.
As the accused appeared before the city's Magistrates' Court a detective constable said he could connect him with all offences.
The officer outlined concerns about possible interference with witnesses and for the suspect's own safety if he was released.
He told the court how the man had admitted to self-harming and suffering from depression in the past.
But the detective accepted the risks could be managed with appropriate conditions, including no unsupervised contact with children.
Defence solicitor Matt Higgins confirmed a bail address was available for his client outside Belfast.
District Judge Fiona Bagnall agreed to release the accused on bail to live at that location.
She also excluded him from part of Belfast and ordered him to have no contact with either the alleged victim or any members of her family.
The man, who is to report to police twice a week, will appear again before the court next month.
© UTV News