A Penrith man has appeared in court charged with multiple sex offences against two women - including four rapes.

Lee Savage, 25, of Skiddaw View, Penrith, is said by prosecutors to have raped each of his alleged victims twice.

One alleged victim is said to have been sexually assaulted on six occasions on various dates in January.

Savage is also accused of falsely imprisoning the same woman at an address in Penrith on January 8 this year.

Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates'Court also heard that Savage has been charged with twice sexually assaulting the second woman and assaulting her causing her actual bodily harm on a date between January, 2015, and May of the same year.

The alleged rapes against the second victim are said to have been committed in May of 2015, and in April of 2016.

Prosecutors say that all of the alleged offences happened in the Penrith area.

In court, Savage spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

The defendant - wearing a black leather jacket and purple shirt - was represented in court by defence solicitor Nick Kennon, who said his client would be denying the allegations that he faces.

District Judge Gerald Chalk remanded the defendant in custody, ruling that his case will next be dealt with during a hearing at Carlisle Crown Court on February 19.

There was no application for bail.

In a statement, Cumbria Police said that the two alleged victims are being supported by specialist officers.