A police officer and former Mr Gay UK has appeared in court charged with the rape of another man and possession of 277 body-building tablets.

PC Mark Carter, 27, from West Yorkshire Police, was at Leeds Magistrates Court to face allegations that he had committed sexual offences against four different men on December 18 and 19 of last year.

The officer, who hit the headlines after being crowned Mr Gay UK in 2006, is also charged with the possession of 277 tablets of the Class C body building drug Stanazol on December 19.

During a brief appearance on Tuesday, PC Carter spoke only to confirm his name and address.

He has been charged with one offence of rape and three other sexual offences.

Earlier PC Carter was reported to have said his reason for entering Mr Gay UK was to "change the public perception of the stereotypical gay man".

He has been suspended following an investigation into events surrounding the charges he now faces, which are believed to have occurred at the Etap Hotel in Leeds, West Yorks.