A Chigwell man has appeared in court accused of six counts of rape and assault.

Emmanuel Popat, 47, of Gravel lane in Chigwell, appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday charged with four counts of rape between March 1, 2010 and August 8 2013.

He was also accused of sexually assaulting a woman and assaulting a woman by beating on August 10, 2013.

Popat, who indicated a not guilty plea at the hearing, was granted bail to return to the court on April 17 for trial.