Elderly man facing child sex charges

An 86-year-old man has appeared in court facing charges relating to the alleged historical child sex abuse against a seven-year-old girl dating back more than 40 years ago.

Harold Clasen faced Albany Magistrates Court this morning on three counts of unlawful carnal knowledge of a child under 13 years.

Perth detectives with the assistance Albany detectives charged Mr Clasen as a result of an investigation into allegations of historical child sexual abuse.

It is alleged between 1974 and 1981, he sexually assaulted the girl known to him who was seven years old at the time of the first incident.

The court heard the incidents allegedly occurred in Ravensthorpe with Mr Clasen, who currently resides in Pemberton, set to move back to Albany later this month.

His defence lawyer sought a committal mention date with Mr Clasen not required to plead to the charges and was remanded on bail.

He will reappear in court on June 6.