Man in court over sex attacks

Andrew Michael Murphy, of Birch Grove, Ashton, is accused of assaulting the woman between January and September 2014, and again during December.

Murphy appeared before magistrates in St Helens where he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

He denies both charges. Justices declined jurisdiction and the case was referred to Liverpool Crown Court. He was remanding on conditional bail, ordering him to not to contact the complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and to stay away from named areas of Ashton. He will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on April 29.