A TAVISTOCK man has appeared in court accused of raping a teenage girl and a string of sexual assaults.

Bryan Rowlands, aged 56, faced Plymouth magistrates charged with six offences against two girls between 2005 and last year.

He answered one count of rape, one of sexual assault, two counts of indecently touching a girl and two counts of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. Magistrates ruled that the case was so serious that it had to be sent directly to crown court.

Rowlands, of Bannawell Street, did not indicate a plea and spoke only to confirm his personal details. He was released on unconditional bail to appear before a judge at Plymouth Crown Court on October 28.