Man in court on sexual assault charge

He appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court. Credit: Google Maps

A pizza delivery driver has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Araz Khdir, 39, was charged in the early hours and appeared before magistrates on Saturday.

He was arrested following an attack on a teenager in Normanby on Sunday evening.

Detectives launched an investigation after the girl was attacked as she walked home along a wooded pathway, next to Ormesby Road.

Khdir, represented by Paul Watson, was wearing a black leather jacket during the short hearing earlier.

Prosecutor Rehana Haque told the court Khdir was employed as a takeaway delivery driver.

No formal plea was entered.

Chair of the bench, Alan Powells, told Khdir, of Marton Grove Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, that he would be remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on March 22.