A Hollyoaks actor has appeared in court charged with rape and child cruelty offences.
Rizwan Khan was charged with five counts of rape, one section two offence of the Sexual Offences Act, and one count of causing unnecessary suffering/injury to a child. The 37-year-old appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, September 28, Teesside Live reports.
Khan, who wore a black jumper and white shirt, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the short hearing.
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John Garside, prosecuting, outlined that six of the charges were indictable only and must be heard at a higher court. Khan did not enter a plea to the charges during the hearing.
According to IMDb, Khan, who was represented by Neil Douglas during Wednesday's hearing, pursued his dream of becoming an actor aged 34. He is understood to have appeared in a number of episodes of hit TV soap Hollyoaks as well as an extra in ITV's Vera and film Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
Khan, of Union Street, central Middlesbrough, will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on October 26. He was granted unconditional bail.
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