A NIGHTCLUB boss has denied drug and sex offences, including using cocaine to 'stupefy and overpower' an alleged victim.

Darren Pinches, owner of Bushwackers and Browns in Worcester, appeared at Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday).

The 51-year-old of Bromyard Road, St John's, Worcester was formally arraigned in court one by the clerk of the court, denying all allegations against him.

Pinches, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and purple tie, pleaded not guilty to administering a substance (cocaine) with intent to stupefy or overpower the complainant so as to enable him to engage in sexual activity with her on January 1, 2017.

He further denied sexual assault, also on January 1, 2017 which was said to involve the sexual touching of the complainant without Pinches reasonably believing she was consenting.

Pinches denied possession of cocaine on January 13, 2017, supplying cocaine between February 9 and February 15, 2016 and offering to supply cocaine between February 3 and February 5, 2015.

The Pinches family owns Sin in New Street, Browns at the Quay, and Bushwackers in Trinity Street.

Miranda Moore QC, prosecuting, said all witnesses were asked to attend.

However, Anthony Metzer QC, for Pinches, said that the number of witnesses was likely to be reduced before the trial started.

The trial is estimated to take between seven and 10 days.

Miss Moore said it was the Crown's view that the case should not be heard locally at either Worcester or Hereford Crown Courts because of the defendant's connections to this area.

She said: "It's not appropriate, we feel, for somebody who is very well known in Worcester to be tried locally."

Mr Metzer said: "We have to respectfully agree with my learned friend."

He also raised concerns about the case being heard in Birmingham because Pinches has business connections there and because many people from Worcester work in Birmingham.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said it should be possible for 12 jurors in Birmingham to be appointed who had had never heard of Pinches.

Judge Juckes suggested the case might be heard at Warwick but Mr Metzer suggested Harrow or Croydon as potential venues.

The evidence will include interviews with three complainants, the editing and summary of which should be ready by April 12 this year.

A prosecution summary of the draft opening note and a response to the defence case statement should be ready by April 26.

Pinches was released on bail with conditions not to contact the primary complainant or any prosecution witness save for the specific purposes of his business.

Pinches was asked to stand by the judge and if he understood his conditions of bail. He replied that he did.

Judge Juckes said: "We are trying to arrange a trial as soon as we can but we can't fix a date today."

Enquiries will now be made to see which court can accommodate the trial and on what date.

A date in November was said to be convenient to prosecution and defence.