A retired psychiatrist, charged with rape and four cases of indecent assault, will appear before magistrates this week.

The charges to the North Yorkshire man are understood to follow an investigation into complaints from a number of his former patients.

Michael Haslam, of Crayke, near Easingwold, will appear before York Magistrates on Friday. The police said a 68-year-old North Yorkshire man had been released on bail after being charged with rape and four offences of indecent assault. A spokesman added that the charges are related to three different woman's complaints.

Solicitor John Howard, who will be representing the former Clifton Hospital consultant in the case, said: "My client denies the allegations and intends to vigorously contest them in court."