Blackpool man charged with three counts of rape also accused of sexually assaulting woman he met online

David Scholes, of Hornby Road, made his first court appearance on Thursday (October 27) after being charged with three counts of rape.

The 33-year-old also faces two allegations of sexually assaulting a woman he met online via Facebook.

He denied the offences when he appeared before Blackpool Magistrates.

The court also heard Scholes had been charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order twice and one count of arson – offences he also denied.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on November 30.

When a person is remanded in custody it means that they will be detained in prison until their trial begins.

The majority of prisoners on remand have not been convicted of a criminal offence and are awaiting trial following a not guilty plea.