A MAN has denied carrying out an indecent assault on a woman in broad daylight.

David Peacock is accused of groping the woman in front of two of his friends while walking between pubs in Durham city centre, on a Saturday afternoon in October 2002.

Durham Crown Court heard that the 26-year-old woman, who was admiring the view from Framwelgate Bridge, turned and confronted her assailant.

The man is said to have responded: "What?" when she accused him of carrying out the indecent act, before walking off with his two friends.

She gave police a description of a man of similar features to Mr Peacock and the court heard that Mr Peacock's name was put forward when footage from the city centre security camera system was shown on a Crimestoppers' TV appeal bulletin.

A year after the incident, the victim also picked Mr Peacock from ten men taking part in a video identity parade.

Mr Peacock, 29, was arrested and admitted being in Durham for a drink with two friends from the Stanley area that afternoon, but denied carrying out the assault or seeing any such incident.

Giving evidence, he said it was coincidence that the man responsible was in a group of three, of similar description and at that time, near Framwelgate Bridge.

Cross-examining Mr Peacock, prosecuting barrister Robert Turton said: "You were the boorish individual who, because you had been drinking, as a dare, groped her, to the cheers of your friends.

"You thought: 'Oh, how funny', but as it meant so little to you, you just carried on your way."

Mr Peacock replied: "No, because I didn't do anything."

He said they were seen on security cameras walking towards a taxi rank to a pre-arranged pick-up point.

Mr Peacock, of Broomhill, Stanley, denies indecent assault.

The trial continues.