Imran Ahmad Khan, 47, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, is facing trial. The news came after reporting restrictions were lifted.
The charge, which was read out in court, states: "In the county of Staffordshire you intentionally touched a boy aged 15 and that touching was sexual when he did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that he was consenting, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003."
Ahmad Khan, who was represented by Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC, said: "Not guilty."
In a statement posted on Twitter, Imran Ahmad Khan said: "It is true that an accusation has been made against me. May I make it clear from the outset that the allegation, which is from over 13 years ago, is denied in the strongest terms. This matter is deeply distressing to me and I, of course, take it extremely seriously. To be accused of doing something I did not do is shocking, destabilizing, and traumatic. I am innocent. Those, like me, who are falsely accused of such actions, are in the difficult position of having to endure damaging and painful speculation until the case is concluded. I ask for privacy as I work to clear my name."
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said the case was not suitable for trial in the magistrates' court and sent the case to the Old Bailey, where Khan will appear on 15 July. Khan has been released on bail in the meantime.
