A Croydon man will go on trial next year for allegedly raping a woman in Southend on Sea.

Edward McGarth, 34, of Ross Road in Selhurst, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, November 1, charged with four offences.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, each representing a separate sex act allegedly forced upon an 18-year-old woman.

He also denied a sexual assault charge alleging he sexually touched the complainant.

Mr McGarth appeared in court alongside a co-defendant, 36-year-old Christopher Stannard, of Town Square in Basildon.

Mr Stannard is not charged with any rape or sexual assault offences.

However, he and Mr McGarth both pleaded not guilty to charges of “trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence”.

The alleged offences all occurred at an address in Southend on September 18.

Mr McGarth was already free on bail but Mr Stannard was produced from custody for the short hearing.

Following an application by his barrister, Judge Samantha Leigh said she would grant Mr Stannard bail as well.

However, he will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 7am and will be banned from entering the borough of Southend.

The pair’s trial date was fixed for June 16, with an estimated duration of seven working days.