A priest from Margate has denied raping a woman earlier this year.

John Taylor appeared at Canterbury Crown Court earlier today to formally enter a plea of not guilty to rape on February 22.

The 48-year-old of Canterbury Road used to work at the Old Roman Catholic Church in St Mildred’s Road, Westgate, and wore a cross on a chain over his black suit as he sat in the dock.

Taylor’s trial is fixed for January 16 and is likely to last four days. He is due to return to the court on November 23 for a hearing to examine the progress of the case.