THREE soldiers based at Tidworth Garrison have appeared before Swindon Crown Court accused of raping a woman in Swindon.

Cosmus Cupid, Jason Rushton and Milon Warrican are all charged with raping the girl on Friday, November 26 last year.

Cupid, 25, and Warrican, also 25, both pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court.

No charge was formally put to Rushton, 30, and he did not enter a plea.

All three men, who are in the 1 Staffordshire Regiment which is currently based at Tidworth, spoke only to confirm their names.

Cupid gave the court his address as Moolton Barracks and Rushton and Warrican gave theirs as Jellabad Barracks in the garrison town.

The soldiers are due to be posted to Iraq for six months in a few weeks time.

They were released on bail on condition they do not contact prosecution witnesses.