A world-renowned tennis coach has appeared in St Albans Crown Court charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Barry Heffernan, 46, pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault when the alleged victim was aged 14 and 15 respectively.
The charges against Heffernan, who ran the Down Under Tennis Club in Hemel Hempstead that includes an academy for gifted young players around the area, date back to 2002 over a 16-month period.
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At the same court in December Heffernan, known as Butch, denied six allegations of rape and two of sexual assault on another girl.
Those allegations date between September 2005 and May 2007, beginning when the girl was 14 years old.
The Australian has travelled the world playing tennis and coached some of the game's top players including Bjorn Borg and Martina Navratilova, but has been banned from leaving the country until the case is heard.
Heffernan, who has a home in Hemel Hempstead, was bailed to Lechlade Road, Highworth, Swindon.
Other conditions of bail state he must report to police Monday to Friday and must not contact prosecution witnesses.
He is prohibited from contacting past or present employees of the Down Under Tennis Club, and is banned from entering Hertfordshire, except to attend court.
He cannot coach anyone under the age of 18 or apply for international travel documents.
Heffernan is due to stand trial in October, but a hearing will be held on Friday, May 16 to confirm the date.
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