A former Skipton man has appeared at Bradford Crown Court accused of 18 charges of rape.

Shafiq Rahman, 41, is accused of 14 counts raping an underage girl, between 2006 and 2009, and four of raping a woman, between 2009 and 2010.

The court was told yesterday that the allegations involved the same complainant.

Raham, now of Tweedle Hill Road, Manchester, was sent to the Crown Court by Skipton magistrates.

His trial, set to last up to five days, was fixed for February 24.

Raham must next be back at the Crown Court on December 6 for a case management hearing when he will enter pleas to the charges against him.

He is on bail with the condition that he does not contact the complainant.