Man faces nine rape charges

The alleged offences occurred in south-east England

A 48-year-old man has appeared in court charged with a series of rapes on women and children across south-east England.

Antoni Imiela, a former rail worker from Appledore, near Ashford, Kent, is charged with nine counts of rape against three children and five women in Kent, Berkshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire and south-west London.

The offences occurred between November 2001 and October 2002, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

One woman was allegedly raped twice.

Mr Imiela is also charged with kidnap, indecent assault and the attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in Birmingham on 21 November last year.

Mr Imiela spoke only to confirm his name.

Judge Andrew Patience adjourned the case and remanded Imiela in custody.

A date for the next hearing has yet to be fixed.

A trial is likely to begin in October.