Ex-Mr Gay policeman in court on rape charge

A police officer and former Mr Gay UK appeared in court today charged with a number of sex offences, including raping another man.

Pc Mark Carter, 27, was charged after an incident at a hotel in Leeds city centre on December 19 last year.

He appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court today charged with one rape, three sexual assaults and an attempted sex assault.

In a brief hearing, the court was told the charges involved four different alleged victims and are said to have taken place between December 18 and 19 last year.

Carter stood in front of the dock wearing a grey suit, white shirt and striped tie.

He spoke only to confirm his personal details.

The officer, who has been suspended by West Yorkshire Police, was given conditional bail and told to appear again at Leeds Crown Court on June 29.

Carter also faced a charge of possessing the class C body building drug Stanazol, also on December 19.

In relation to the alleged drugs offence, he was given unconditional bail to appear at the magistrates' court again on August 3.

Pc Carter was crowned Mr Gay UK in 2006 at the Flamingo Club in Blackpool.

He was said to have had the full backing of West Yorkshire Police.

He beat 25 other contestants to win £5,000 of prizes.