A dance teacher has denied grooming a young girl on Instagram after he allegedly coerced her to send him half-naked images of herself.

Mohit Kumar, from Gravesend, is accused of engaging in sexual communication with a teenage girl.

A hearing at Medway Magistrates' Court heard the 28-year-old allegedly sent messages of a sexual nature to the vulnerable teenager between May and June 2019.

He pleaded not guilty today after being charged with two offences ­– inciting a child between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity and engaging in sexual communications with the victim.

Kumar, of Windsor Road, Gravesend, appeared in the dock wearing a suit with a black shirt and blue tie.

Prosecutor Victoria McGrady said the victim – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was vulnerable "by virtue of her age and circumstances".

She alleged Kumar had sent messages to the girl requesting her to send images and the victim replied by sending some showing "her breast area".

Ms McGrady told the court Kumar's alleged actions amounted to "a grooming nature".

Kumar spoke only to confirm his name and address and submit two not guilty pleas to the charges.

The teacher has been released on conditional bail to not directly or indirectly contact the victim or have unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Kumar will next appear at Woolwich Crown Court on November 11.

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