Mohammed Fathi Eltbie, from Egypt, entered his plea to the offence, alleged to have happened in the Dorset seaside resort on November 5, during a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court.
The 24-year-old, who was represented by barrister Nick Robinson and assisted by an Arabic interpreter, was remanded in custody until his trial which was set to start on May 26 2026 with a further preliminary hearing set for March 23.
Judge Robert Pawson told him: “Mr Eltbie, there are two important dates for you, the first is the trial date which is May 26.
“Between now and that date, there is quite a lot of work to be done by your legal team. Mr Robinson, your barrister, is highly experienced and he will be doing the lion’s share of the work.
“Your solicitors will arrange a meeting or meetings with you and it’s important that you give them a full account of what you say happened.
“So, trial date is May 26 but to ensure that everything that needs to be done is being done, there is going to be another hearing on March 23 and which you should attend.
“It’s important for you to bear in mind, Mr Eltbie, that the judge is not the person who makes the decision as to whether you are guilty, that decision will be made by 12 members of the public who are picked at random so the decision will be entirely impartial.
“We will see you on March 23 and in the meantime you remain remanded in custody.”
A previous hearing was told that Eltbie’s asylum status was “uncertain” after the Egyptian national’s application was refused in January with him having entered the UK in July 2023.