Bali Hoxha, 28, is charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault following a late night incident in Norwich.

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The charges concern one alleged woman victim and are said to have occurred around 11.30pm, on September 17 last year along the footpath between Prince of Wales Road and the Riverside retail park.

The riverside path was cordoned off for more than 24 hours following reports of the incident to allow for police investigations.

Police at the scene of alleged rape in Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

Hoxha, of West Tofts Camp - a Ministry of Defence site - at West Tofts, near Thetford, denies the allegations.

He is set to stand trial at Norwich Crown Court from April 7 in proceedings estimated to last five days.

The soldier has been held in prison on remand since entering his not guilty pleas in November.

Appearing over prison video-link he then spoke through an Albanian interpreter to deny rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault against the woman who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

© Norwich Evening News