A man accused of sexual assault and false imprisonment will stand trial next year after entering not guilty pleas.

Sameer Ainarkar, 45, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, September 5.

Ainarkar, of Hozier Street, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a female, and one count each of causing a child 13 or over to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity, assaulting a girl 13 or over by penetration, false imprisonment, and intimidating a witness/juror.

Ainarkar was remanded into custody ahead of a trial date set for February 6 next year. It is expected to last five days.

His next court appearance will be on January 6 for a pre-trial review.