A FORMER Colchester United star has appeared in court charged with raping a woman while she slept after they spent a night out together.

Callum Harriott, who scored 12 goals in 64 appearances for the U’s before he left the club in May, is alleged to have carried out the attack in November 2019.

He appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday to face one charge of rape, speaking only to confirm his name and address.

Harriott, 27, told the court he had moved from his former Colchester address to Beech Road, Biggin Hill, in Greater London.

Katharine Houghton, prosecuting, told the court the complainant had been put to bed on the night in question as she was intoxicated.

“She woke to find the suspect having sex with her,” she said.

“She had been on a night out with people from her work and she had gone for a meal in Colchester.

“She split off from her group in order to meet with some males from Turtle Bay bar.

“She had been on a night out with the defendant, who was flirting with her during the course of that evening.

“It appears she had been taken to bed and had woken up during the course of the incident.”

Magistrates were told the matter could only be dealt with at a crown court and Harriott was not asked to enter a plea to the charge.

Chairman of the bench Dr James Bettley adjourned the case until a plea and trial preparation hearing at Ipswich Crown Court on July 30.

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He said: “You must be there no later than 9.30am.

“Until then you will be released on unconditional bail.

“That means if you fail to attend on July 30, that is an offence in itself for which you could be punished.

“Any offence committed while on bail could be treated more seriously than it otherwise would be.”

Harriott took to his social media page in May to announce his departure from Colchester United after a one-and-a-half year spell at the club.

He told his followers: “I would like to thank all the fans who have supported me since I’ve been here.

“Good luck to you all next season and I hope you get that promotion.”