A man accused of raping a woman and abusing two children has denied the allegations in court.

Andrew Caldria, of no fixed abode, has been standing trial at Reading Crown Court.

He has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including five counts of rape against a woman, four of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two of child cruelty, three of sexual assault against a child, attempted rape of a child, assaulting a child by penetration, and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The abuse is alleged to have taken place over a two-month period, between August and October 2023.

On one occasion, the prosecution claim that Caldria forced alcohol on an 11-year-old, before attempting to rape them.

Defence barrister Nadia Chbati quizzed the defendant on this allegation today (March 25).

He denied it, stating: "I used to drink wine, but I never forced [the child] to do so."

Separately, the adult complainant in the case claims she was repeatedly raped on a single night, after being lured by Caldria into his bedroom.

The defendant said of the woman's accusation: "I don't know why she is saying this."

The trial continues.