A MAN has denied sexually assaulting a teenage member of staff more than 10 years younger than him at an Irvine takeaway.

Bhupinder Singh is accused of sexually assaulting a female employee, who was then aged 17, at Sugar N Spice in Bourtreehill South on February 15 last year.

The single charge against the 29-year-old states that he “did sexually assault a 17-year-old girl in the course of her employment there by attempting to kiss her, induce her to enter the rear of said premises, seize hold of her, push her against a wall, seize her leg, attempt to insert your hand under her lower clothing and intentionally direct sexual comments towards her”.

Court papers also state that the accused “repeatedly made comments of a sexual nature” to the alleged victim.

Mr Singh, who previously lived in Ayr but has a current address listed in Glasgow, pleaded not guilty to the charge at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

A further intermediate diet hearing was set for July.