Video: Thirsk racehorse trainer '˜Dandy' Nichols denies touching women's breasts

The 60-year-old from Tall Trees Farm, Sessay, near Thirsk, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court where he entered not guilty pleas.

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.

Chairman of the Bench Malcolm Smith sent the case to Teesside Crown Court for a hearing on June 24. Nicholls was granted unconditional bail.

After the hearing Nicholls’ solicitor Mark Haslam said: “As far as my client is concerned, both allegations are strenuously denied.”

The racehorse trainer declined to comment as he left court.

Nicholls, a father-of-three, runs a yard with 100 horses and has been dubbed the Sprint King for his know-how in training winners.

He was a successful jockey until 1992, riding more than 400 winners, when he switched to training.

His website said: “After a successful career as a jockey he decided to turn his hand to training, and what a decision this has proved to be.

“David started training with only five horses with the help of his wife, champion lady jockey Alex Greaves, he now has around 100 under his care.”