THE former president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce has denied 20 counts of sexual offences against teenage girls.

Paul Townsend, 28, of Hadland Road, Abingdon, faces the charges over alleged incidents involving four complainants between May 2010 and August last year.

Yesterday he appeared in Oxford Crown Court and denied all 20 allegations as they were read out before a judge.

He is charged with 13 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, four of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of sexual assault on a female aged 16 or over.

The 30-year-old had been on the committee of Dunmore Pre-school in Abingdon since September last year and dealt with the business side of the committee’s affairs.

He has now stood down from this position as well as from the town’s Chamber of Commerce, which he had led since 2011.

Townsend was released on bail and is due to appear at the court for what is expected to be a two-week trial on October 21.