A FORMER vice squad cop from the Metropolitan Police today denied soliciting a prostitute in Ipswich.Det Sgt Mark Daniel, of Grimwade Close, Brantham pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Elm Street today.

A FORMER vice squad cop from the Metropolitan Police today denied soliciting a prostitute in Ipswich.

Det Sgt Mark Daniel, of Grimwade Close, Brantham pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Elm Street today.

Appearing before District Judge David Cooper, 34-year-old Daniel spoke only to confirm his name, age, date of birth and to enter his plea.

In a short hearing lasting only a few minutes Daniel stood in the dock dressed in a smart suit, shirt and tie.

Earlier he arrived at the court as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle and entered the courts wearing a motorcycle helmet and dark glasses covering his face from the waiting media.

Daniel, who has worked for the Met for 14 years, is alleged to have been caught kerb crawling on Sunday June 10.

He was charged with soliciting a woman with the purpose of prostitution in Dalton Road and Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate.

After his arrest he was released on bail and today Judge Cooper extended the unconditional bail until the next hearing in the case on July 18.

Judge Cooper told Daniel, who is based at Shoreditch CID, that he would not be required to attend the next hearing.

He added the trial, which will be held on a date yet to be fixed, would last up to a day.

Following the first hearing in the case on June 13 a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “We can confirm Mark Daniel is a detective sergeant with the Metropolitan Police and has been placed on restricted duties.”