A former police officer has denied raping one woman and sexually assaulting another.

Matthew Stewart, 31, of Carlisle, who was a special constable, community support officer and police constable in the force from 2015 until 2024, pleaded not guilty at the city's crown court to both charges and two counts of intentional strangulation.

He is accused of committing the crimes while employed by Cumbria Police and off-duty.

Stewart was released on conditional bail ahead of a hearing at the same court in January. A provisional trial date was set for 29 November 2027.

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