A 36-year-old man in Somerset was ordered to stand trial after allegedly abusing and misgendering a trans woman in a supermarket.

The Shepton Mallet Journal reports Justin James Ansell was charged with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress after allegedly calling the prosecuting victim a “man” with a “dick” in a Co-op supermarket.

Prosecutor Judy Morris told the court that the defendant had used threatening and abusive words and behaviour against Emma Drysdale in the Castle Cary supermarket.

Ansell pleaded not guilty before District Judge David Taylor, saying he had only intended to be friendly.

A pre-trial review was conducted and the case was adjourned for a trial to take place on April 15.

The defendant has since been released on unconditional bail.

In August, a Somerset man appeared in court after allegedly assaulting his wife after she told him she was gay.

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