A man has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in a busy train station.
Joe Meredith is alleged to have committed the offence against a stranger as she sat in Newcastle’s Central Station on May 4 last year. The 33-year-old, of Quacker Lane, in Darlington, was in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault. Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said the case was suitable to be tried in a magistrates’ court.
She added: “The Crown would say this is suitable for summary trial with the potential to commit to the crown court for sentence upon a conviction.”
However, Meredith elected to have his trial before a judge and jury at Newcastle Crown Court. Sending his case there, District Judge Paul Currer said: “You have pleaded not guilty to this allegation so the matter will have to be resolved by way of a trial.
“You have elected to have that trial at Newcastle Crown Court, so, I’m sending you there. You will next appear there on February 19. The court is in this building, just on the floors above.
“If you fail to attend, you potentially commit an offence under the bail act and a warrant could be issued for your arrest.” In the meantime, Meredith was released on conditional bail where he was banned from contacting prosecution witnesses.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/man-court-accused-sexually-assaulting-30837801
