A Deptford man who ran as Ukip's candidate to be Mayor of Lewisham will face a summer trial over claims he sexually assaulted a homeless Bulgarian.

Peter Lello, 44, of Glenville Grove, is accused of assaulting the man in May this year at an address in Lewisham.

Lello, who denies the charge, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on October 10.

He was bailed until June next year, when he is due to stand trial.

Following his arrest, Lello was suspended from his job in the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

He had stood as the party's candidate in Lewisham's mayoral elections back in June but managed to get just 7.9 per cent of the vote.