A man has denied raping a child twice and a string of other sex offences occurring in a five year period.

Darren Pitcher, 48, of Farthingale Court, Peregrin Road in Waltham Abbey pleaded not guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday (November 15) to a total of nine offences of child sex between 2004 and 2009.

Pitcher is charged with two offences of rape of a child, a separate rape, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, and two sexual assaults of a child.

For legal reasons the victim cannot be named.

Judge Charles Gratwicke remanded Pitcher on bail, until his trial which is due to take place on May 16 next year.