A MAN accused of assaulting a seven-year-old girl and causing her injuries has denied any wrong-doing.

James King appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Prosecutors claim that the 21-year-old assaulted the child - who cannot be named for legal reasons - in Oxfordshire in 2017.

King, of Howitt's Lane, Eynesbury, Cambridgeshire, is charged with one count alleging assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

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At a briefing hearing held yesterday he pleaded not guilty to that single count.

It is alleged that he carried out the attack on a child in August 2017.

The offence is claimed to have been committed while in Great Tew, Oxfordshire.

Prosecutors claim that the assault on the girl resulted in injuries including bruising to the face.

After King had denied the single count magistrates went on to consider whether the case should be heard at the magistrates' court or whether it should be sent to the crown court for consideration instead.

Presiding magistrate Helen Robins opted to send the case to the crown court to be heard.

King will next appear at Oxford Crown Court on June 25.