A FOREIGN musician is set to appear before a North-East court to face charges of assault after three women claimed he had given them Aids.

The man, from Malawi, is set to appear before a judge at Teesside Crown Court today.

Cleveland Police said he had been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He also faces a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

He was arrested after three women, a 15-year-old girl, a 25-year-old from Italy and a 26-year-old Kenyan woman, told police they had been diagnosed with HIV after sleeping with him.

The musician, who has not been named, is only the second person in the country to be charged with assault in connection with Aids.