A CARLISLE man has been banned from associating with anybody aged under 18 as he waits for his trial on an allegation of trying to sexually communicate with a child.

Christopher Potts, 51, entered a not guilty plea to the allegation when he appeared before a judge at the city’s crown court. The charge alleges that he committed the offence between May 26 2022 and May 31 in that same year.

Prosecutors say that he believed the female he was allegedly communicating with was aged 13 and that he did this for “sexual gratification.”

A trial, expected to last two or three days, is scheduled to get underway on February 17 next year. In the meantime, the defendant, of Borland Avenue, Botcherby, Carlisle, was granted conditional bail.

The sole condition is that Potts does not associate with any person who is aged under 18, confirmed Judge Michael Fanning.