A SEXUAL assault charge against a man accused of abusing his former partner has officially been dropped.

Daniel Grant, of Piers Row, Deddington, has been charged with one count each of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault by beating, possession of a bladed article and two counts of breaching a non-molestation order – all of which he denies.

The 38-year-old is accused of controlling his former partner by forcing her to come off her mental heath medication, choosing what she ate despite a food intolerance, checking her phone, accusing her of cheating and criticising the way she looked.

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He is on trial at Oxford Crown Court.

However, Grant was also charged with one count of sexual assault and was accused of forcing his former partner to hold his genitals while he urinated.

The alleged incident took place on January 15, 2022, against the wall of The Deddington Arms pub, between Banbury and Bicester.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service officially offered no evidence on that charge during the trial on Wednesday (May 1) following the evidence of the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

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A prosecuting barrister said there ‘was not sufficient evidence’ to proceed with the charge.

Thus, the jury were asked to enter a plea of ‘not guilty’ on the charge.

The trial continues with the remaining five charges.