Rabbi Chaim Halpern has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault of a woman in his first court appearance since he was charged last month.

The Golders Green steibl head, who is 65, faces two counts of sexual assault relating to an incident on or around June 1 2022.

In a 10-minute hearing at Willesden Magistrates Court on Friday, offered the option of having his case tried by magistrates, he elected for it to go to the Crown Court.

A pre-trial hearing at Harrow Crown Court has been set for May 17.

Halpern, who was charged under his English name Aaron Halpern, was arrested in connection with the incident in March last year.