A man will stand trial next year accused of trying to meet a teenage ‘girl’ for sex.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Monday, Darrell Tunbridge, 40, pleaded not guilty to attempted sexual communication with the profile of what purported to be a 13-year-old girl called ‘Daisy’ but was, in fact, a police officer and attempting to arrange a meeting with the girl in mid-December 2020 in order to engage in penetrative sexual activity.

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Tunbridge, of Woodpecker Close, Bicester, also denied an allegation of making two category B indecent images of a child.

Judge Ian Pringle QC granted the defendant bail to return to court on March 13 next year for trial.

Prosecutor Matthew Walsh said the trial is expected to last four days.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward