A TEENAGER accused of rape is to appear before a judge at Maidstone Crown Court next month.

The 16-year-old, from Larkfield, near Maidstone, is accused of five charges of attempted rape on a girl aged between 13 and 15, three charges of assault, and one charge of rape, on a girl aged under 13 in Aylesford between May 2004, and March 2006.

He cannot be named for legal reasons. Magistrates at Maidstone youth court have bailed the teenager to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, January 5.