A MAN appeared in court accused of rape following an incident in Basildon town centre.

Police were contacted around 11:30pm on Friday July 18 following reports that a woman had been raped at the underpass near Broadmayne.

Nathan Morgan, 23 of no fixed abode, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Saturday July 26 charged with rape and ABH.

Morgan, who did not speak or enter a plea, was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Basildon Crown Court in October for a plea and case management hearing.