This article is more than 9 months old

This article is more than 9 months old

The golfer Thorbjørn Olesen has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and being drunk on an aircraft.

The Ryder Cup winner, named as Jacob Thorbjørn Olesen in court, gave his nationality as Danish at the start of his plea hearing on Friday. Wearing a navy suit, the 29-year-old spoke only to confirm his personal details and deny three charges.

Isleworth crown court heard the golfer intentionally sexually touched a woman without her consent during a flight from Nashville to London on 29 July. Olesen also faces one charge of assault by beating of a second person.

The five-time European Tour winner, of Chelsea, south-west London, was arrested at Heathrow immediately after his return from the World Golf Championships St Jude Invitational in Memphis.

Olesen had previously indicated he would enter not-guilty pleas to the three charges. Both the prosecution and defence are expected to use expert witnesses. He will return to Isleworth crown court for his trial starting on 11 May next year.