Aussie speedway champ denies sex assault in UK

DAYS before his return to Australia to compete in the national speedway championships, Darcy Ward has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a girl in Britain.

The 19-year-old Australian champion rider appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court in southern England on Thursday and denied police allegations he assaulted the 17-year-old girl.

The assault is alleged to have occurred between 16 August and 19 August, 2011, at a hotel in Dorset.

Dressed in a suit and tie, the sandy-haired Ward replied a simple “not guilty” when asked if he assaulted the girl.

Brisbane-born Ward, who has homes both in Australia and Britain, won the World Under-21 championship title in both 2009 and 2010, and now rides for British club Poole Pirates.

Late last year it was announced that Ward secured a place in the world’s premier Speedway competition in 2012, the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship.

His barrister, Stuart Jones QC, said Ward faces a busy schedule of racing in coming months that will see him travelling internationally on a weekly basis.

“As you know, our client resides in Australia. He’s going back this weekend and he’s not coming back until the end of February,” Mr Jones told Judge Samuel Wigg.

“When he comes back here, and he’s intending to at the end of February when the (world championship) racing season commences, thereafter his weekly riding will involve riding in Poland on Sundays and Sweden on Tuesdays.”

The STG5000 ($A7450) bail for Ward allows him to continue travelling and Mr Jones said a copy of the racing schedule would be provided to police.

A juvenile co-accused, who can’t be named for legal reasons, faces four charges against the same girl, including one of rape.

Both accused will stand trial on the charges, with a date for the estimated 10-day jury fixture still to be confirmed for mid-year.