AN ex-Cleveland police officer has been charged with nine counts of rape and has been remanded in custody until next week.

The 37-year-old, who has not been named for legal reasons, is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on May 13.

It is not known when the alleged offences are thought to have taken place.

A spokesperson for the force said: "A man has now been charged with nine counts of rape and a number of other sexual offences, and is currently remanded in custody pending a further court hearing."