A 50-year-old Oldbury-on-Severn man is to stand trial in September on charges of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.
At Gloucester Crown Court today Paul Bennett, Oldbury, denied touching the girl sexually on April 19 this year, and also sexually touching her between September and November 2016.
Tara Wolfe, prosecuting, said the girl has asked that lawyers and the judge don't wear wigs and gowns when she gives her evidence.
Sarah Jenkins, defending, said care would need to be taken with the progress of the trial not just for the girl's benefit, but also for Bennett's as he has learning difficulties.
Estimating that the case will last three days, the judge, Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC, bailed Bennett pending a pre-trial hearing on September 6, followed by the full trial starting on September 18.
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