A man is on trial charged with inappropriately touching a woman and beating her after an event at Ascot Racecourse.

Todd Allison, 37, of Old Kenton Lane, London, attended the All Black Coco Day Party at the racecourse on December 3 last year.

A woman claims Allison became abusive towards her while at the event.

Opening the trial today (June 27), prosecuting barrister Christopher Kerr told Reading Crown Court: "He [Allison] started raise his voice. He accused her of being disrespectful.

"She got up to leave, he grabbed her arm, and he became threatening."

Later on in the evening, Allison got into the woman's car.

There, he allegedly launched a more serious assault, choking the complainant before reaching under her skirt and grabbing her underwear.

The woman also told police that Allison ripped out her rear-view mirror and sprayed cleaner in her face.

Today (June 27), she told the court: "He went for my throat. I struggled to breath."

Police were called to the scene, and found the woman in a state of distress.

Mr Kerr said: "She had visible injuries to her face, and she also had bruising to her neck.

"Mr Allison was arrested by the police."

Allison denies inappropriately touching the woman - but has admitted to a string of other charges.

Mr Kerr said: "He's pleaded guilty to an offence of assaulting her, occasioning actual bodily harm. He's pleaded guilty to an offence of intentionally strangling her, and he's pleaded guilty to an offence of criminal damage."

The trial continues.