A serving Metropolitan Police officer for South West London has denied raping two women over a span of 11 days.

PC Rupert Edwards was suspended from the South West Basic Command Unit (SW BCU) in September last year following his arrest on suspicion of rape. He was arrested for a second rape on 8 December,

Edwards is alleged to have raped one woman in Epsom, Surrey, on August 26, and a second woman in Lambeth, on September 5, while he was off-duty.

The victims are aged in their 20s and 30s.

Edwards, from Ashtead, Surrey, appeared in the dock at Inner Crown Court on Monday (January 9) where he spoke to confirm his name and date of birth before entering a plea of not guilty to two counts of rape.

Commander Jon Savell, in charge of the Scotland Yard's professionalism command, said previously: "This news is deeply worrying and I recognise the concern it will cause the public and other police officers.

"We took immediate action to suspend PC Edwards from duty when he was first arrested in September. 

"Legal proceedings are now active and it is important that I do not comment while that process takes place."

Edwards was remanded into custody after his appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on December 9, but was recently granted conditional bail.

He must live and sleep at his aunt's address in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, with an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 8am.

The area of his curfew was amended yesterday (Monday 9) in order to allow Edwards' dog into the back garden.

He cannot enter the M25 area, except to attend court or pre-arranged meetings with his lawyers.

Edwards must not contact any of the complainants or prosecution witnesses in the case.