A serving police officer will face a trial next year after denying two charges of rape.

PC Kane Haywood stood in the dock at Bristol Crown Court to face a total of three allegations said to have taken place against the same woman in Exeter, Devon, in 2021.

The 29-year-old, from east Devon, is charged with two counts of rape of a woman aged 16 years or over and one sexual assault by penetration.

The Devon and Cornwall officer entered a plea of not guilty to all charges during a short hearing this morning, wearing a black suit, white shirt and grey striped tie.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of his next appearance.

Police officer Kane Haywood, 29, arriving at Bristol Crown Court on Monday

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A court sketch of PC Kane Haywood, who is charged with two counts of rape of a woman

The accusations against PC Haywood, who is currently suspended from duty, are in relation to a single victim and were alleged to have been committed in Exeter, Devon on 29 March 2021.

PC Haywood was told by a judge preparations were being made for a four-day trial to be held from January 8 next year.

He is next due to appear at a pre-trial hearing on December 11.

PC Haywood previously appeared before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court in January this year.