THE trial of a 48-year-old railway employee accused of committing a series of rapes in the South East is due to start today at Maidstone Crown Court.

Antoni Imiela, from Appledore, near Ashford, denies nine counts of rape against three girls under 16 and five women over a period of a year.

Mr Imiela also denies the kidnap, indecent assault and attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in the Midlands.

Mr Imiela is charged with committing the rapes between November 2001 and October 2002.