A SERVING police officer yesterday appeared in court charged with serious sex attacks over an eight-year period.

PC Stephen Mitchell, who serves with Northumbria Police, was remanded in custody after he appeared before magistrates accused of 43 offences, including rape, sexual assault, indecent assault and misconduct in a public office.

During a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon, PC Mitchell spoke only to confirm his name, age and address in the Whitley Bay area of North Tyneside.

The 41-year-old, who was flanked by two dock officers, was remanded into custody.

He was ordered to appear before the same court this afternoon, when his solicitor, Geoffrey Forrester, will apply for bail.

PC Mitchell, who was suspended from the force last year when the allegations first came to light, was arrested in Glasgow, where his parents live, on Monday night and brought back to the North-East, where he was charged.

The arrest was carried out by officers from Northumbria Police, who have been investigating the allegations under the management of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The allegations involve 19 people and are said to have taken place between 1999 and 2007.

They include seven offences of rape, 17 allegations of indecent assault and 19 counts of misconduct in a public office.

An IPCC spokesman said: “This is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information which they feel could be relevant to the inquiry is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 03456-043-043.”