A MAN accused of raping a woman has made his first appearance at the magistrates' court.

Yousef Durrani was at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with one count of rape of a woman aged 16 or over.

The 29-year-old of Fern Hill Road, Oxford spoke only to confirm his name and address at the brief hearing.

Prosecutors allege that Durrani carried out the rape in November 2018.

The alleged victim cannot be identified for legal reasons.

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While no formal plea was entered at court to the single count defence solicitor Myles Jackman, representing Durrani, said that his client indicated a plea of not guilty.

As the allegation is an 'indictable-only' offence it cannot be heard before magistrates and can only be dealt with at the upper court.

Presiding Judge Peter Ross sent the case directly to the crown court for a further hearing.

That hearing was listed to take place at Oxford Crown Court on August 6, where a plea is expected to be taken for the first time.

Durrani was released on bail to await that hearing.