A BUSINESSMAN has appeared in court charged with assault and threatening a member of the public.

Simon Howell, 60, had previously run travel business Vision Getaway before he closed it down in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Howell, of Orchard Gardens, Colchester, is accused of physically assaulting a woman at Colchester North Station on Wednesday, October 20.

Howell also stands accused of using threatening or abusive language towards the same woman, with the intent to provoke unlawful violence.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates Court, Howell denied both charges.

Howell then reappeared in Colchester Magistrates Court last Tuesday to confirm a change of address from his previous residence in Bradford Drive.

He was remanded on unconditional bail until Monday, October 31, where he will attend court to stand trial of the two charges.