Unregistered

Jonathan Brown appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court yesterday.

The 31-year-old of County Down, Northern Ireland, is a serving soldier in the province.

He was arrested by police in Northern Ireland in a joint operation between the police and army.

The alleged attack on a 21-year-old woman took place in Prudhoe Chare in the centre of Newcastle on November 1, at 2.30am, near Marks & Spencer.

Brown appeared in court charged with the rape and attempted rape.

Dressed smartly in a suit, he spoke only to confirm his identity in a hearing which was over in a few minutes.

His case has now been sent to Crown Court as magistrates have insufficient powers to deal with it.

Brown heard from magistrates he was to go to Newcastle Crown Court to appear before a judge.

The magistrates extended the Irish soldier's unconditional bail terms.

Brown will appear before Newcastle Crown Court in January 4 next year.

A Northern Ireland MoD spokesman said: "I can confirm that a soldier currently serving in Northern Ireland is assisting Northumbria Police with their inquiries into an alleged serious sexual assault."