A TAXI driver who is accused of picking up two young women and raping them in his car has appeared at the crown court.

Ruhen Miah, of Charter Road, Newbury, was charged with two counts of rape on March 6 and did not enter a plea when he was thrown before magistrates later the same day.

The 42-year-old will be back at Reading Crown Court on April 30, following an adjournment on Monday for legal aid to be arranged.

The charges relate to two offences on January 20 and February 24, where two women were raped in the town.

Newbury police called an emergency meeting to appeal for information and a 40-year-old man was arrested and released under investigation.

Miah was remanded in custody.