A POLICE officer is to go on trial charged with a string of sex offences, including four counts of child rape.

Mohammed Perwaze, 45, from Hury, Teesdale, appeared at Durham Crown Court.

Speaking to the court via video link, he entered not guilty pleas to a range of offences.

Among the allegations were four charges of rape, five indecent assaults, one sex assault on a young person, four other sexual assaults, and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Perwaze is a currently police sergeant with Durham Constabulary.

He was arrested on Tuesday, November 28 and has since been suspended from duty.

Judge Christopher Prince said the trial would have to be heard outside of the North-East court circuit at a date to be fixed.

Mr Perwaze has been remanded into custody until his next hearing.