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

Pc Lee Willis, of Sussex Police, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault by touching when he appeared at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

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

Willis, 49, of Worthing, who has been suspended from duty, will face trial at the same court on April 14.

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A preliminary hearing will take place on January 23.

Willis was released on conditional bail.

Sussex Police have previously said that Willis had been charged with the three offences against two women who were known to him.

A spokesman had 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.”