A MAN has appeared in court charged with a sexual assault alleged to have taken place three years ago.

Amer Jasim, 23, who now lives in Stoke on Trent, appeared at Darlington Magistrates Court accused of sexual assault on a female in Darlington in September 2010.

Mr Jasim pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court, at a date to be fixed.