Man, 22, denies flashing himself and other sex offences in town

A SUSPECTED flasher has denied exposing himself on three occasions and sexually assaulting women in a Northumberland town.

David Robson is alleged to have sexually touched two women and assaulted two others within a few hours at five locations in Ashington.

The 22-year-old, of Rosehill Way, Blakelaw, Newcastle, appeared in custody in the dock at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court.

He faced two counts of sexual assault, three of exposing his genitals, two of assaulting a female by beating and one of criminal damage.

Robson entered not guilty pleas to all the charges, which were alleged to have happened between August 17 and 18.

The court was told all of Robson’s alleged victims were strangers.

Prosecutor Laura Croft said that, taken together, the offences were so serious the case should be sent to the crown court.

Aside from entering his pleas, Robson spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality.

And his solicitor, John Wesencraft, made no representations about where the case should be heard.

Remanding Robson in custody, District Judge Bernard Begley said: “These matters, both singularly and cumulatively, are too serious for this court to deal with, so I’m allocating this to the crown court in Newcastle.”

Robson will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 17.