A man from Newtown has entered a not guilty plea to the charge of engaging in a sexual act with an underage individual without their consent.

According to the Powys County Times, Thomas Evans, a 35-year-old resident of Oaklands, Newtown in Powys pleaded not guilty to the charge. The alleged incident took place in March of last year when Mr Evans is accused of engaging in a sexual act with the underage individual without their consent and that the defendant did not reasonably believe that the boy was capable of giving consent.

Appearing at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday 5th September 2023, Mr Evans participated in a brief hearing where he formally denied the charges brought against him.

A trial date has been scheduled for 19th Februrary 2024. Mr Evans is expected to attend a pre-trial cross examination hearing at the same court on 1st December 2023.

The court has imposed strict bail conditions on the defendant, including an order to refrain from contacting the teenager involved in the case.