POOLE’S top speedway rider Darcy Ward has appeared in court today charged with sexually assaulting a woman.

The 19-year-old of Poole Road, Sturminster Marshall, appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing.

He is charged with one count of sexual assault on a female.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “Officers investigated an allegation of sexual assault at the Premier Inn at Holes Bay in Poole.

“The alleged incident was reported in the early hours of Thursday August 18.

“There were two arrests and a 17-year-old man and a 19-year-old man have both been charged.”

Australian rider Ward joined Poole Pirates from King's Lynn in November 2009 after the Wimborne Road outfit had fended off strong competition to secure his signing in a club record deal – with the transfer fee said to have been in excess of £28,000.

A two-times world under-21 champion, Ward has since established himself as one of the sport’s rising stars.

He played a major role in the Pirate’s hugely successful season in 2011 and was a leading performer as the Dorset club claimed an Elite League, Knockout Cup and Best Pairs treble.

• A 17-year-old man has also appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court today charged with one offence of rape and three sexual assaults on a female.

He cannot be named for legal reasons.