A SPECIALIST spine surgeon is facing two charges of the rape of a woman who he met on dating website Tinder.

Mathew Sewell, a Consultant Paediatric and Adult spinal deformity surgeon, who used to work at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, is accused of raping the woman in January 2017 just weeks after the pair had consensual sex before Christmas.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 40-year-old was arrested when he returned home from a conference in Prague months after he was initially interviewed about the allegations.

The jury heard that charges relate to the matter of consent regarding the alleged victim believing that he was wearing a condom during sex.

Detective Constable Martin Bolton explained to the court that the lengthy delay between arrest and charge was due the complexities of the case and the Crown Prosecution Service seeking advice from the Attorney General.

Under cross examination from defence barrister Tania Griffiths, the Cleveland Police officer confirmed that the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had admitted 'embellishing' her story of events that took place in December but that did not impact on her claims from early January 2017.

The detective confirmed that the investigation could have gone in a different direction if the alleged victim had told him she had lied.

Miss Griffiths asked the officer if it was usual for a person in a 'stressed and anxious' state to be interviewed after 15 hours in custody and following a flight. DC Bolton replied: "It's not unusual for suspects to be stressed during an interview."

Earlier in the trial, Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, told the court that the pair had 'reluctant' consensual sex but under the agreement that the defendant wore a condom on January 4.

He said: "The woman said that if she had known Mr. Sewell hadn’t been wearing a condom, she would not have consented to have sex and the Crown therefore say that Mr. Sewell raped her."

The second allegation relates the early morning on January 5 when they again had unprotected sex without the alleged victim's knowledge or consent.

Sewell, of Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, denies both charges and maintains that the sex was consensual.

The defendant no longer works for the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust.

The trial continues.