A DALTON man has pleaded not guilty to assault.

Paul Hurley, of Thornton Park, denied the charge when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The 51-year-old is accused of assaulting Gemma Brennan in Dalton on September 1.

Hurley, represented in court by Mike Graham, elected to have his trial heard in the crown court.

He was granted unconditional bail until a trial preparation hearing at Preston Crown Court on February 14.