A MAN admits sexual assault but denies attempted rape following an alleged sex attack in Worcester.

Jeremy Anderson appeared via live video conferencing link from HMP Hewell at Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

The 40-year-old of Bransford Road, St John's, Worcester, appeared before recorder Anthony Warner where he pleaded guilty to sexual assault but denied attempted rape in Worcester on December 12 last year.

As previously reported, Anderson was arrested and charged in connection with an alleged attack on a woman in her 50s.

The incident is said to have happened when the woman was walking under the viaduct by the entrance of the Cattlemarket car park at the junction of Castle Street and Croft Road.

Anderson, who was wearing a grey and dark Adidas sweater, could be heard murmuring to himself during the short hearing in court one.

The clerk asked Anderson if he could hear her clearly and he replied that he could before she read out the two counts against him so he could formally enter his pleas.

Both allegations involve the same complainant who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The sexual assault, which he admitted, involved grabbing her around the mouth when he did not reasonably believe the complainant to be consenting. He denied attempted rape.

Timothy Harrington, prosecuting, said the Crown was seeking to proceed to trial which he did not anticipate would last more than two days.

The trial could begin on May 8 or some point soon after that date.

The custody time limit extends until June 15. The hearing was largely devoted to timetabling the different stages and disclosure dates before the trial.

Jason Aris, representing Anderson, made no representations at the hearing.

Anderson was remanded in custody until the next hearing.