A CHARD man has appeared in court facing numerous allegations of rape and sexual assault on women and young girls in the South Somerset area.

Robert Brian Shore, 30, of Crowshute Flats, Crowshute, appeared before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil, charged with the offences which are said to have taken place between 2001 and 2005.

He was alleged at Yeovil to have intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over, and that touching was sexual.

He was also charged with raping a girl under 16 years and a further offence of raping a girl aged under 16 on at least four other occasions at Chard.

He was further alleged to have committed two offences of raping a girl under 16 years at Yeovil.

And at South Petherton he was charged with raping a woman aged over 16 years on more than 10 occasions.

The defendant did not enter any pleas to the offences and the magistrates said the case was so serious he must be sent straight to Taunton Crown Court to stand trial.

They adjourned all matters until March 20 when Shore must appear before a pre trial hearing at Taunton.

Until then he was released on conditional bail on the understanding he does not contact four named complainants directly or indirectly.