A MAN has denied a series of charges relating to an alleged incident at a popular nightspot where police officers and members of the public were reportedly assaulted.

Essex Police were called to Yates in Head Street, Colchester, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Once they arrived, an urgent assistance call was made to colleagues at the British Transport Police who are usually based at the town centre train station.

They arrived and officers arrested a man.

He was later charged with a string of offences relating to what had allegedly happened at Yates.

A spokesman for Essex Police said officers reported being punched and grabbed after they had been called to the scene.

“We were called at around 2am on, Friday, April 19, to reports that a man had been assaulted inside Yates, in Head Street, Colchester,” he said.

“We attended and arrested a 23-year-old man at the scene with assistance from British Transport Police officers.

“During the arrest, two of our officers reported they were punched and grabbed.”

British Transport Police posted online to confirm they were called away from their usual duties to help out at the incident.

The spokesman said: “We’ve assisted our Essex Police colleagues with an urgent assistance call following a report of an incident in Colchester.

“All officers are safe and well.”

None of the officers involved are thought to have suffered serious injuries during the incident.

William Atkins, of Haven Road, Colchester, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

He denied two charges of assaulting an emergency worker - relating to police sergeants - assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 23-year-old also denied a charge of criminal damage which relates to an officer’s body worn camera.

A further case management hearing was due to be held at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday where further dates for the case were set to be confirmed.