By Brandi Makuski

The trial for an Amherst man accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl has been scheduled for Feb. 24.

Christian Greenup, 29, was arrested last June after being charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13. A second charge — repeated sexual assault of same child, which requires at least three violations of first degree sexual assault — could enhance any sentence he receives if convicted.

According the criminal complaint, the girl told a detective and a social worker at her school she was sexually assaulted by Greenup, who was dating the girl’s mother at the time, after pulling her from the living room couch by her wrists and into a bedroom. Two younger children were also home at the time of the alleged assault, according to the complaint.

In an interview the girl told the detective and social worker the abuse took place that “she tried to run away but [Greenup] held her down by pinning her arms above her head with his forearms,” the complaint said.

Greenup has denied the charges, saying the girl made the accusations after not being allowed to go swimming. He pleaded not guilty last September.

If convicted, Greenup could face 60 years in prison. He returns to court on Monday, Feb. 15 for a motion hearing to bar psychiatric evidence from being introduced at trial.

Greenup’s trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 24 before Judge Robert Shannon in Branch II.