Racehorse trainer 'keen to clear his name' as sex assault trial is delayed

Trainer David "Dandy" Nicholls was "keen to clear his name" after hearing his trial on sex assault charges will be delayed, his solicitor said. The 60-year-old from Tall Trees Farm, Sessay, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, appeared at Teesside Crown Court to hear his case has been adjourned until later this year.The trial, which had been expected to begin this week, will take three to four days.He is charged with grabbing one woman, putting his hand up her top and touching her naked breast under her bra.In a separate alleged incident, he is charged with touching another woman's breast over her clothes and touching her between her legs over her clothing.After the brief hearing, Nicholls' solicitor David Harbron said: "Mr Nicholls is disappointed that the trial cannot go ahead this week, however fully understands that the matter has to be adjourned through no fault of his own and due to court difficulties."Mr Nicholls continues to strenuously deny both offences and is keen to clear his name."Nicholls, a father-of-three, has been dubbed the Sprint King for his know-how in training the winners of major sprints including the Ayr Gold Cup and the Stewards' Cup.He was a successful jockey until 1992, riding more than 400 winners, when he switched to training.