A serving Metropolitan Police Officer will stand trial next summer over claims he groped a woman in a Kingston nightclub.

PC Emeri Ratucoko, who was off-duty during the time of the incident, grabbed the alleged victim's breast during a night out on February 7 this year, it is said.

Ratucoko appeared at Kingston crown court on Wednesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual assault.

The case has been adjourned for trial which is set to begin August 29 next year and will last up to five days.

The officer, from Wandsworth, elected a jury trial at his first court appearance last month and stressed he would fight the sexual assault charge.

The Metropolitan Police have said Ratucoko is attached to the Central West Command Unit and has been placed on restricted duties while criminal duties are ongoing.

In his role he has no face to face contact with the public and no involvement in the investigation of sexual offences.

He will be on unconditional bail until his trial.