The case of a British nurse whose name emerged as part of a global investigation into cannibalism has been sent to the Crown Court.
Dale Bolinger, 57, formerly from Canterbury, Kent, faces 11 charges, including alleged sex offences and a claim that he tried to poison someone with dry cleaning fluid.
He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth as he made his first appearance via videolink at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court. No indication of plea was given.
Kent Police arrested Bolinger on February 21 after launching an investigation earlier this year as a result of liaison with FBI officers in the United States.
Seven months later, he was charged with one count of administering poison to someone, two counts of possessing an indecent photograph of a child, one count of attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming, and seven counts of publishing an obscene article.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between July 2010 and February this year. Prosecutor Julie Farbrace recommended that the case be committed to Crown Court.
Chair of the bench Patricia Light said a preliminary hearing will be held at Canterbury Crown Court on November 25 before she further released Bolinger on conditional bail.