A MAN has appeared in court charged with five rapes, including two alleged to to have taken place in Worcester.

John Treen of Damson Falls, Vinegar Hill, Undy, Caldicot in Gwent appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Friday, charged with five rapes, a common assault and voyeurism.

The 37-year-old did not enter a plea to any of the charges during the short hearing and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The rapes are all alleged to have been committed against a woman over the age of 16.

They are said by the Crown Prosecution Service to have taken place between March 3 and and March 31 this year in Worcester, on April 27 this year in Worcester and on April 25, 26 and 27 in Minehead in Somerset.

He is also alleged to have committed common assault in Worcester on April 30 this year and an act of voyeurism (recording a private act) between February 1 and April 30 this year at Worcester.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said the common assault was summary only (can only be dealt with by the magistrates court) but was linked to the indictable offences so she invited the court to allocate all matters to the crown court.

A condition of his bail is not to contact the injured party who cannot be identified for legal reasons and not to enter Worcestershire except to attend court.

Treen is next scheduled to appear at Worcester Crown Court on February 15 next year.