A MAN has appeared in court charged with raping a woman in Darlington.

The woman was attacked on a grassed embankment off St Augustine's Way in Darlington shortly after midnight on Wednesday, May 17.

Abdel-aziz Faysal Al-Shamary has been charged with two counts of rape and one of making threats to kill in connection with the incident.

The 21-year-old appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday via video-link from Holme House Prison, where he is remanded in custody.

The case was temporarily adjourned to allow a translator to be appointed in a bid to ensure Al-Shamary fully understands the case against him.