A MAN has denied sexually assaulting a woman in her home after striking up a conversation with her on a dating app.
Peter Ferguson, who works as a zone manager for Colchester Council, is charged with trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, assault by penetration and sexual assault.
The 42-year-old, of Keelers Way, Great Horkelsey, denied all charges when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.
READ MORE: Council worker at the centre of investigation into dating app Bumble
A trial date has been set for April next year, with the case due to be mentioned at the court in December.
The alleged incidents are said to have taken place in September in the Highwoods area of Colchester and involved the arrangement of a masseuse called Steven to visit the woman's address.
After Ferguson appeared in magistrates court, Essex Police said they were looking into the wider circumstances in an investigation where a man using the Bumble app claimed to be an airline pilot called Matt or Matthew Parker and connected with people across the eastern region.
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