Ex-Norwich patrolman opts for trial on sex charge

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — A former Norwich patrolman has rejected a plea offer and plans to go to trial on sexual assault charges.

Forty-five-year-old Kenneth Nieves has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl while on duty.

Nieves was in court Tuesday and rejected an offer from the state that would have had serve a year in prison in exchange for a guilty plea.

Nieves resigned from the department in September 2011 amid an investigation into allegations that he was having sex while on the job.

He was arrested in December. Prosecutors allege he had a four-year sexual relationship with the girl. Authorities say she told them Nieves would show up at her workplace in uniform and have sex with her before giving her rides home in his patrol car.