THE trial of two Newcastle men accused of a number of sex offences including rape in Oswestry, will take place in Shrewsbury, a judge has ruled.

Harley King, from Newcastle and Ben Jennings from Cramlington, in Northumberland, are both 18, and face a trial on November 20, this year.

King is accused of three offences – two charges of raping of a woman aged 16 and over and one charge of voyeurism/recording a private act.

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Jennings is accused of four offences – three charges of rape of a woman aged 16 and over, and one charge of assault of a female aged 16 and over by penetration with part of body or thing.

The pair had appeared at Telford Magistrates' Court last January and also at Shrewsbury Crown Court in February, this year.

An application by the Crown Prosecution Service to potentially move the hearing to Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crown Court was heard by Judge Anthony Lowe in Shrewsbury on Wednesday (May 10).

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Judge Lowe invited comments from defence barristers Elizabeth Muir and Mark Styles, representing King and Jennings, and both said they would prefer a Shrewsbury hearing as it meant it would not be delayed.

Judge Lowe agreed, telling the prosecution that any plans to move the trial to the North East should have been made at the February hearing.

The trial will take place in Shrewsbury on November 20.