A former police officer accused of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another while off-duty has appeared in court.

Matthew Stewart, aged 31, worked for Cumbria Police as a special constable, community support officer and police constable from 2015 before leaving the profession in 2024.

Stewart, of Carlisle, faces one charge alleging he raped a woman, a second charge alleging he sexually assaulted a second woman and two further charges allege intentional strangulation.

He entered no pleas to the charges at Carlisle Magistrates' Court, but indicated to district judge Philip Holden that he would be pleading not guilty in due course.

Stewart is being prosecuted as part of a police investigation, which is said to have begun in April 2025.

The allegations were said to have taken place while he was employed by the Cumbria force and while he was off-duty.

During the hearing, Stewart spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was not represented at the hearing by a solicitor, but said he had received some legal advice.

Stewart's case was sent by district judge Holden to Carlisle Crown Court and he is due to appear on 21 September for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He has been granted bail with conditions prohibiting him from having any contact with the complainants.

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