A SERVING police officer who is charged with rape has appeared before magistrates in Exeter.

PC Nicholas Stone has been charged with raping a woman nine years ago — and having sex with the same woman while on duty 11 years ago.

He appeared before Exeter magistrates for the first time in connection with the allegations yesterday.

The officer, who was serving in Tiverton at the time of the alleged offences, has been charged with three misconduct charges as well as the allegation of raping a woman.

The 40-year-old officer was a serving officer with the Devon & Cornwall force when the alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1999 and 2001.

Stone, of Pitminster near Taunton, Somerset, later transferred to the Avon and Somerset force.

He has continued to serve as a police officer until the present day.

He is currently based at a police station in Wellington, Somerset.

The married officer, who has children, is charged with raping a woman over 16 years of age at Tiverton, between June 1 and July 31 2001.

He is also charged with wilfully misconducting himself by engaging in sexual intercourse with the same woman during May 1999 in Tiverton while on duty.

He is further charged with willful misconduct by shouting and assaulting the same female while not acting in the lawful execution of his duty in November 1999.

Finally he is accused of willful misconduct by threatening to arrest a second female if she did not do what he told her, in December 1999.

Stone has not been asked to make a plea to any of the charges he faces.

He was remanded on unconditional bail by magistrates at the Central Devon Magistrates Court in Heavitree Road.

He was ordered to appear before a judge at Exeter Crown Court in two weeks' time for a preliminary hearing.