A 76-year-old man has appeared in court charged with eight offences including rape.

Jeffrey Mantle, from Essex Road, Westgate on Sea was arrested yesterday and charged with one count of rape, five counts of indecent assault, one count of assault resulting in actual bodily harm and one count of taking indecent images at level 5 (level 5 being the most serious).

Mr Mantle appeared before court this morning charged with the offences and is next scheduled to appear before Canterbury Crown Court on July 7.