A MAN is to face trial on 33 charges, ranging from rape and sexual assault to taking and possessing indecent pictures of children.

Steven Baxter denied all the charges when he appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court. His trial has been set for October.

Baxter, 20, of St Dominic Road, Colchester, was remanded in custody. There was no application for bail.

He faces three charges of rape, eight of sexual activity with a child, seven charges each of taking and possessing indecent pictures of children and two charges of showing indecent images of children to other children.

He is also accused of distributing indecent images of children, sexual assault, false imprisonment, threats to kill and two charges of actual bodily harm.

The charges relate to children aged between four and 15, with the offences allegedly committed between February 2007 and June 2009.

Some of indecent images covered by the charges were in the most serious category set out in the law.