A 54-year-old man charged with raping a girl who was under the age of 16 has been released on bail by a judge.

Martin Gardiner is also accused of sexual assault on the same girl, who was aged 13 to 15, between June and August last year.

No charges were formally put to the defendant and he did not enter any pleas during the brief hearing at Swindon Crown Court.

Gardiner, of Abington Way, Stratton St Margaret, is accused of two counts of rape, two of sexual assault and two assaults.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to Friday, April 12 and released Gardiner on bail until then.