A senior council officer has appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a woman he met on a dating app.

Peter Ferguson - who is employed as a Colchester Council zone manager - is accused of sexual assault by penetration, one offence of sexual touching and one offence of trespass with the intention of committing a sexual offence.

The 42-year-old is alleged to have struck up a conversation with the complainant on dating app Bumble before arriving at her house.

During the hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court, Sharon Hall prosecuting said: "The nature of these allegations are that the defendant has used a social media dating app called Bumble.

"The victim and he have made contact on that app.

"He wanted to set her up with a masseur to come to her house who would come to her house.

"She says the person she had been speaking to was the same person who came to her address.

"He makes her feel uncomfortable and then sexually assaults her."

It is alleged that Ferguson - who is married - used a false name on the app.

Police investigations into the allegation are ongoing.

Peter Baker, mitigating for Ferguson, of Keelers Way, Great Horkesley, said Ferguson could possibly be suspended as a result of the allegations.

He said Ferguson denies any kind of sexual conduct with the complainant at the address at that time.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place in the Highwoods area of Colchester on Friday.

District judge John Woollard said the offences were so serious they could only be dealt with at the crown court but adjourned the case until Tuesday so more information could be given to him so he could decide on whether Ferguson is granted bail.

He was remanded in custody until the next hearing.

Mr Woollard also delayed officially sending the matter to crown court because of the exceptional circumstances.