A MAN appeared before magistrates yesterday charged with two counts of raping a girl of 13 in a lane in Newport.

Jonathan Swift, aged 25, of Canon Street, Newport, was remanded in custody by Gwent magistrates sitting in the city yesterday.

He is accused of raping the teenager at around 7.30pm on Saturday, March 1, in a lane in the Malpas area of the city.

No pleas were entered by the defendant court yesterday.

Swift will next appear at Newport Crown Court for a preliminary case management hearing on Thursday, March 20.