Police officer in court charged with raping 17-year-old girl

A police officer charged with raping a 17-year-old girl and two further counts of sexual assault has appeared in court.

Pc Declan Gabriel, who is a local response officer with Northamptonshire Police, allegedly carried out a sex attack on the teenager on September 21 2015.

The 27-year-old has also been charged with misconduct in a public office, with all four allegations said to have happened on the same date.

Gabriel was suspended from duty following the allegations and the Independent Police Complaints Commission has also been informed.

Appearing at Kettering Magistrates' Court, Gabriel spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before he was conditionally bailed to appear at the Crown Court in just over a month's time.

Addressing Gabriel, chairman of the bench Mrs H Winfield told him: "Your case is now being sent to the Crown Court in Northampton on May 4.

"Between then and now you'll remain on conditional bail."

Magistrates ordered that the publication of Gabriel's address be banned after an application by his defence solicitor.

The application was opposed in court by the Press Association.