Man denies ripping veil off Muslim woman
A man has denied ripping a off a Muslim woman's veil.
Peter Scotter, 55, is accused of walking up to the woman in the Bridges shopping mall in Sunderland, and ripping the niqab from her face before throwing it on the floor.
Mr Scotter, of Beach Street, Sunderland, pleaded not guilty to racially or religiously aggravated common assault.
He was bailed to reappear at Newcastle Crown Court on 13 March.
Prosecutors have said Mr Scotter walked up to the woman, who was with her nine-year-old child, on 3 July, while she was waiting with her husband.
He is further alleged to have shouted racist abuse at PC Deborah Chayton, who attended the incident.
Mr Scotter also denies a charge of causing the police officer alarm, harassment or distress, which was racially or religiously aggravated.