24-year-old man pleads not guilty in the case of rape and sexual assault of two 15-year-old girls on Bournemouth beach

• Antony Demetriades denied five charges at Bournemouth Crown Court
• The crimes are said to have taken place near the Bournemouth Oceanarium

A man today denied raping and sexually abusing two 15-year-old girls on Bournemouth beach.

Antony Demetriades, 24, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

These include two cases of rape of a girl, one case of sexual assault of the same girl and one case of sexual assault of another girl.

The crimes are said to have occurred on Sunday 19 May at around 7.30pm near the Bournemouth Oceanarium in the Dorset seaside resort.

Demetriades, of Tuckton Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, wore a suit and black tie and spoke only to confirm his name and make his confession.

Judge David Evans adjourned the case at Bournemouth Crown Court for trial on March 4 next year, with a pre-trial review due to take place on January 17.

He told the defendant: “You have pleaded not guilty to the charges, so there must be a trial at which the jury will hear the evidence and reach a verdict.”

“Her jury trial will begin on March 4 next year and I fear that will be the earliest date due to the backlog in the courts.”

“You must appear for your court hearing in March next year.”

The families of the alleged victims sat in the audience and watched as the individual charges were read out to the defendant.

At a hearing on December 6, four minor witnesses will appear and videotape their testimony. The testimony will be played at the main trial, which is scheduled to begin in March next year.

Demetriades was granted conditional bail.

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