A WEYMOUTH councillor has pleaded not guilty to a number of sexual offence charges.

Ryan Dean Hope appeared at Dorchester Crown Court this morning charged with one count of raping a child, one count of rape, one count of sexual assault of a child and two counts of sexual assault.

Hope spoke only to confirm his name and deny all the counts put to him.

The 21-year-old will appear for trial at the court on December 10.