A MAN charged with an alleged rape near to Tesco, Cowley Road, has appeared at court.

Alshafeea Ezereg, 18, of Nye Bevan Close in Oxford, is charged in connection with the alleged incident on Sunday, May 13.

With the aid of an Arabic interpreter Ezereg spoke only to confirm his name as he appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.

While no formal indictment has been put to him a provisional trial date was set.

His trial is expected to last three days and will begin at the same court on November 12.

Ezereg will be formally arraigned at a hearing on August 21.