A Swindon man has appeared in court charged with multiple sexual offences.
Bismark Opoku, 34, is accused of the rape, attempted rape and assault by penetration of a woman he met over Snapchat, with the alleged crimes dating back to 2020.
Appearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (26 January), the defendant, of Commercial Road, Swindon, offered no indication of pleas.
Despite the seriousness of the alleged offending, Opoku was summons to attend court by way of postal requisition. Usually, this means a defendant would be released on unconditional bail.
But senior prosecutor Nataline Cheesman asked that conditions be applied to his bail – including not to contact his alleged victim directly or indirectly.
Emma Thacker, defending, said the bail conditions are not required as the defendant has not had contact with the woman since 2020.
Chair fo the bench, Justice Alison Auvray said it is “extraordinary someone is coming into court on a postal summons for a charge of rape”, and imposed the bail conditions asked for by Ms Cheesman.
The case was sent to Swindon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
