A MAN is due to stand trial next year accused of raping a teenager in Stokesley two years ago.
Kieran Brown entered not guilty pleas to one charge of rape and another of sexual activity with a child when he appeared before Teessside Crown Court this morning.
The 19-year-old, of Hebron Road, Stokesley, was released on unconditional bail until his trial, provisionally listed for three days next August.
Judge Stephen Ashurst heard that the alleged incidents happened on September 23, 2017 - the day of Stokesley Show.
During the short hearing, the judge raised concerns about the length of time it will take for the trial to take place - almost three years after the alleged offences.
He said: "I'm concerned, that in a case that goes back to 2017, where both parties are still young, the defendant in September 2017 was 17 and the complainant was a teenager.
"What I'm going to do is say that August 17 is a provisional trial date but I'm going to see whether we can bring that date forward."
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