A MAN has appeared in court, accused of dragging a woman in to bushes and trying to rape her.

Lewis Waters, 23, of Lindsell Green in Basildon appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday accused of one count of attempted rape and one count of assault.

The alleged attack happened just yards from a nursing home in Brownlow Bend in Basildon last year.

It is alleged Waters dragged a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in to bushes and tried to rape her.

It is also alleged he then attacked a man who came to her aid.

Waters did not enter a plea to the charges.

His case was adjourned until May 12 and Recorder Martyn Royall set a provisional trial date of June 11.

Waters was remanded in custody.