IPSWICH: An Ipswich man has appeared in court charged with the rape of one man and the sexual assault of another.

Phillipe Roberts, who denied the allegations, is accused of carrying out the attacks at his flat in Austin Street.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that the first victim, a vulnerable man with learning difficulties, was sexually abused by Roberts, 42.

The court was told he had begun visiting his flat after being introduced to Roberts by a relative.

During these visits he was allegedly touched in a sexual way by Roberts despite telling him he didn’t want that kind of behaviour to continue, said Matthew Gowen, prosecuting.

At one stage the 22-year-old threatened to go to the police but was allegedly dissuaded by Roberts.

Mr Gowen said the man was confused and upset by what was going on and had spoken to a friend, also 22, who then accompanied him to Roberts’ flat in the hope of sorting the matter out.

However during the visit both men were allegedly sexually assaulted by Roberts.

Mr Gowen said both the alleged victims had spent nights at Roberts’ flat and on two occasions the second alleged victim was raped by Roberts.

Mr Gowen said the first incident happened after Roberts shared a bath with him and the other when the man woke to find Roberts allegedly having sex with him.

Roberts has denied three offences of sexual assault on one of the men who comes from Ipswich and three offences of sexual assault and two of rape on the other man who comes from north Suffolk.

After his arrest Roberts denied having any sexual contact with the alleged victim from Ipswich and claimed that any sexual activity with the second alleged victim had been consensual.

The trial continues today.