A 23-YEAR-OLD man accused of sexual assault and false imprisonment has been granted bail. Gabriel Partene, aged 23, allegedly attacked a woman, who is in her 30s, in Taylor's Lane, Worcester, in the early hours of Saturday.

Partene, a Romanian national, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court today.

The incident took place after the defendant and the alleged victim left Foregate Street's Monroe's Cellar Bar, where they had both been for around six hours, the court heard.

The magistrates were told that Partene followed the woman down Taylor's Lane, a narrow street between Sansome Walk and The Tything.

Mark Johnson, prosecuting, said Partene went up behind the alleged victim, grabbed her, tried to kiss her and then groped her.

Mr Johnson added that the alleged victim tried to escape but was unable to because she was being held by the defendant.

She then shouted for help, the prosecution said.

She later found three males in Foregate Street, who flagged down a passing police van, the court heard.

The defendant was described as 7ft tall by the manager of Monroe's Cellar Bar, the court heard.

Gerry Vahey, defending, said the defendant maintains his innocence.

Partene, who has lived in the UK since 2016 and works for Amazon, appeared in court alongside a translator.

The magistrates granted him bail on the condition that he lives and sleeps at his home in Arboretum Road, Worcester, and that he must report to the city's police station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

He was also issued with a curfew and told not to contact the alleged victim.

His next hearing will take place at Worcester Crown Court on February 26.