A TRIO of defendants accused of making a false allegation of assault to the police have been returned for trial.

Noel Henry Robert Storey (44) and Christina Storey (36), of Morrow Park, Clabby, and Sarah Storey (58), of a neighbouring address in Morrow Park, are all charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice on October 3, 2015.

The defendants are alleged to have made a false allegation of assault in a witness statement to the police. All three appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates court on Mondaymorning for a preliminary enquiry in their case.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative told the court that, based on the papers submitted, the defendants had a prima facie case to answer. Their solicitor replied that this was not formally conceded at this time.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that he was “satisfied” there was a prima facie case against the defendants.

In turn, the three co-accused declined to answer the charge at this stage.

They further declined to give evidence themselves, call any witnesses or tender a written statement of a witness.

The judge released all three on their own bail and directed them to attend Dungannon Crown Court for their arraignment on Thursday, November 10.