John Leslie denies sexual harassment and requests trial by jury

Former Blue Peter presenter faces as 'simple allegation of a brief sexual touching over clothing', prosecutor says

Former TV presenter John Leslie has appeared in court charged with sexual assault.

The ex-Blue Peter and This Morning star is accused of committing the assault in Westminster in December 2008, when the complainant was 30.

Scotland Yard said the 54-year-old from Edinburgh, was charged with sexual touching of a woman by postal requisition on June 5.

During an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, he denied the offence.

Dress in a grey suit and striped tie in the dock, Leslie elected to be tried by a jury at the crown court rather than at magistrates court, despite the offence being deemed appropriate to be decided by a district judge.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward described the charge as "a simple allegation of a brief sexual touching over clothing".

District Judge Emma Arbuthnot listed the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 22 August.

She granted Leslie unconditional bail until that date.

Leslie, real name John Stott, joined Blue Peter in 1989 and remained with the show until 1994.

Former Blue Peter Star John Leslie oped for trial by a jury over his sexual assault charge (PA)

In 1998 he took over from Bradley Walsh as the main presenter of game show Wheel Of Fortune, before joining This Morning a year later.

He was replaced on the morning show by Phillip Schofield in 2002.

Between 2012 and 2016, Leslie had short stints as a radio DJ in Scotland with Castle FM and Bauer Radio.

Press Association