A MAN is appearing in court today charged with raping a 12-year-old girl on her way to school.

Reece Appleby, 19, of Ramsay Road, Leytonstone, will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court this morning charged with two counts of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault.

The schoolgirl alleges she was raped in Worsley Road, Leytonstone, on the morning of December 8.

Appleby, who appears in custody, is also accused of raping another girl under 17 years old on August 8.