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‘Bad Santa’ accused of groping teen

HINGHAM, Mass. — A man who played Santa Claus at a Massachusetts mall has been barred from the shopping center after he was charged with groping an 18-year-old woman playing an elf.

Herbert Jones pleaded not guilty Monday to indecent assault and battery. A judge ordered him to stay away from the Hanover Mall and barred him from playing Santa.

The woman Saturday reported that the 62-year-old Jones had pinched her buttocks and made suggestive comments, police said. The two worked at a Santa photo booth.

Jones, who has a real bushy white beard, denied touching the woman to police and mall management.