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Fly half denies assault charge
From correspondents in London
January 01, 2008
ENGLAND and Bath fly half Olly Barkley pleaded not guilty to assaulting a fellow guest at a wedding.
Barkley, 26, is alleged to have attacked Simon Cole after a reception at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire this northern summer.
He appeared for a brief hearing before Aylesbury Magistrates' Court near London.
Barkley indicated a not guilty plea after the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on July 15 this year was put to him by the court clerk.
Although magistrates decided the case was suitable for them to deal with, Barkley opted for a crown court trial before a jury.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
Barkley appeared for England during this year's World Cup in France and has earned 21 caps during his career.
Magistrates granted him unconditional bail to return to the same court on February 11 for a committal hearing.
Agence France-Presse