A CRAVEN district councillor accused of sexual assault on a female is to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court.
David Staveley, who denies sexual touching of a woman without her consent in Settle more than a year ago, elected to be tried by a judge and jury when he appeared at Skipton Magistrates Court last Friday.
Staveley, 46, of Lords Close, Giggleswick, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which is said to have taken place on January 12, 2017, and elected to go to the crown court, rather than for his case to stay at the magistrates court.
Staveley, who represents Settle and Ribblebanks for the Conservatives on Craven District Council, is chairman of the council's Select Committee, and the Select Crime and Disorder Committee. He also sits on the Spatial Planning Sub-Committee and is a member of the Recruitment Appeals Panel.
He is due to appear at a preliminary hearing at Bradford Crown Court on April 16.
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