A sex offender has denied indecently touching a woman in public in breach of a court protective order.
Christopher Waite appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s neighbouring prison, facing charges of sexual assault and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The 28-year-old defendant of Greenways, Wolsingham, denied sexually assaulting a woman aged 18 or above, touching her thigh in public, in Crook, on August 27.
He also denied breaching a SHPO, imposed at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on July 11, 2023, by approaching a lone female stranger in a public place and sexually touching her, relating to the same incident.
Tabitha Buck, for the defendant, said the defendant denies having touched the woman’s leg and having made any sexual comment.
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Miss Buck said the defendant suffers with autism, but it does not effect his fitness to plead or stand trial.
A timetable for the case was agreed, with a two-day trial set down to start at the court on February 12, next year.
The defendant was remanded to remain in custody pending the trial.
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