A Plymouth man has pleaded not guilty to travelling to the United States to molest a six-year-old girl.

John Brewer, 39, appeared in court in Minnesota after being detained by customs and immigration officials last month.

The officials allegedly found a sexually suggestive picture of a six-year-old in his luggage after he declared that he had a previous conviction in Britain for a child sex offence.

Brewer flew to Minneapolis St Paul International Airport on December 13.

According to court papers, he had been invited by a woman who said he could have a relationship both with her and the child, who was her niece.

Brewer was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual abuse, on suspicion that he entered Minnesota to 'engage in a sexual act with a person who has not attained the age of 12 years'.

A spokeswoman for the Minnesota US District Attorney's Office confirmed that Brewer pleaded not guilty during a brief appearance at the US District Court in Minneapolis.

A pre-trial hearing would be held on February 11 before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Lebedoff, she said.

A tentative trial date was set for March 29 before Judge Michael Davis, she added.

According to a law enforcement statement, submitted as evidence, Brewer's bags were searched when he told a customs official that he had a previous conviction in Britain for 'indecent contact with a minor'.

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