A 68-year-old visually impaired man accused of being the father of a baby born to a 14-year-old girl, is to face a preliminary enquiry on a charge of carnal abuse in April.

The accused, Claudius Dyce, appeared before Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Dyce, who was very feeble and had to be helped into the dock, is accused of having a relationship with the underage girl, since February 2009. It is alleged that this relationship continued until May 2009, when the child began showing signs of pregnancy. It is alleged that the child was known to the accused man, and that he had asked her for sex on the first occasion.

It is alleged that the teen confessed to her guidance counsellor that she had been having sex and a pregnancy test, which was administered to her, turned out positive.

An attorney representing Dyce told the court that they were requesting that a DNA test be done. She said the defence was willing to pay for this test.

The matter is to return to the court on April 10.