A WEST Mercia police constable has pleaded not guilty to rape and five counts of sexual assault.

Michael Darbyshire appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday, August 3 to deny all charges against him.

Kidderminster Shuttle: West Mercia Police constable Michael Darbyshire (right) arriving at Worcester Crown Court. Photo by Jacob King/PAWest Mercia Police constable Michael Darbyshire (right) arriving at Worcester Crown Court. Photo by Jacob King/PA

The officer, who is based at Worcester Police Station, has been suspended from his role.

The 54-year-old is accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in November 2018 and is also charged with further sexual assaults in August last year.

The first count, of sexual assault by touching, is said to have happened on November 18, 2018.

The following two charges of sexual assault are alleged to have happened on November 9 that year.

He is also accused of raping a woman on the same day.

The remaining counts are both alleged to have happened on August 29 last year and relate to sexual assault by touching.

The alleged offences took place in the Worcestershire and Coventry areas.

Judge James Burbidge ruled Darbyshire’s address could be withheld from the public after the defence made an application to exclude it, saying he had been threatened previously, when individuals followed him in their car making cut-throat gestures and telling him he was dead.

Kidderminster Shuttle: West Mercia Police constable Michael Darbyshire leaving Worcester Crown Court. Photo by Jacob King/PAWest Mercia Police constable Michael Darbyshire leaving Worcester Crown Court. Photo by Jacob King/PA

The judge agreed to the application but said the press would have the chance to challenge it.

He told Darbyshire: “You have denied responsibility and a jury will try you on March 25.

“If you are in-fact guilty, you should admit it as the judge will discount the sentence.”

Darbyshire was granted bail at the end of the hearing, but is barred from entering Fernhill Heath or the White Hart pub.