A 36-year-old man appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with three sex offences.

Tilal Mahdi, of Friars Street, Hereford, is accused of conspiracy to rape a girl under 16, conspiracy to indecently assault a girl under 16 and a further serious sexual offence.

The charges relate to offences committed against one alleged victim in Oxfordshire and the Midlands between June 5, 1996, and June 4, 1998.

Mahdi is in custody and is due to appear at Oxford Crown Court today for a preliminary hearing.