A MAN has denied waylaying a cyclist of his bike in an alleged daylight robbery incident.

Kyle Lawson is accused of punching a cyclist and taking his bicycle, causing the victim minor injuries, in Peterlee, on Saturday April 8.

Police attended reports of a “disturbance” in Lowhills Road, in the town, at about 5pm that day.

The cyclist and a police officer were both said to have sustained minor injuries which did not require medical attention.

Kyle Lawson, at the time said to be of Tenth Street, Horden, was arrested and charged with robbery and assaulting an emergency worker.

Appearing via video link at Durham Crown Court from the city’s nearby prison, the 32-year-old defendant, now said to be of Gloucester Place, Peterlee, denied a charge of robbery.

Read more: Man punched and robbed of his bike in shocking Peterlee incident

The hearing was told the alleged assault on an emergency worker is to remain at magistrates’ court level.

Mark Styles, for the defendant, said his case is that the bicycle belongs to him and was left at his girlfriend’s house.

He said there was, “something of a scuffle”, but he said his client denies use of a dog chain or of taking foodstuffs from the alleged victim during the incident.

The case was adjourned for a trial to take place at the court, starting in the week beginning July 25.

Judge Ray Singh remanded the defendant to remain in custody until the trial.

He must, however, submit his defence statement to the court by June 29.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054