Sussex PC denies sexually assaulting women on duty

PC Lee Willis pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault

A Sussex Police officer has denied sexually assaulting two women while on duty.

PC Lee Willis, 49, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault by touching at Southwark Crown Court in London on Thursday.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between January and February 2023.

Mr Willis, of Worthing, West Sussex, has been suspended from duty and will face trial on 14 April.

A pre-trial hearing will take place on 23 January for Mr Willis, who was released on conditional bail.

A spokesman for Sussex Police previously said the matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct "who directed that a local investigation by the professional standards department should be conducted".