A man who appeared in court accused of raping a woman has had the charge against him dropped.

Jamie Carruthers appeared before District Judge Paul Currer at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on November 8 last year. The 28-year-old was charged with raping a woman in Newcastle.

No pleas were entered by Carruthers, of Carwarding Place, Blakelaw, Newcastle, during the short hearing and his case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court.

Carruthers appeared at Newcastle Crown Court for a pre-trial preparation hearing on December 13 last year.

During the hearing, the rape charge against him was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The case against him has now been discontinued.