36-year-old Joe Collins from Shanklin has pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping a boy under 16 in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Mr Collins, of Atherley Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Wednesday accused of historic rape dating back to when he was aged between 12 and 17. He pleaded not guilty to the single charge against him.
The local businessman first appeared before Magistrates at the end of January but the matter was deemed too serious to be dealt with by that court, so the case was sent up to the Crown Court.
The offences are said to have occurred on the Isle of Wight between 1998 and 2003.
Collins’ case will now go to trial on 4th September this year.
He remains on bail until that time.
