A 49-year-old man from Ipswich has appeared before magistrates after being charged with 16 offences, including multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and GBH.

The alleged offences were committed against 12 different females over an eight-year period between 2012 and 2020.

The 16 charges are as follows:

• Three counts of rape (against two separate victims)
• Seven counts of sexual assault
• One count of sexual assault by penetration
• One count of malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• Four counts of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent

All but one of the incidents are reported to have taken place in Suffolk (with one allegation of rape occurring in Kent), the two other charges of rape are alleged to have occurred at a flat in Ipswich.

Of the remaining 13 offences, 12 are alleged to have occurred at a business premises in Ipswich town centre, with one charge of sexual assault reported to have taken place at an address in the Felixstowe area.

Paul Saunders, of Eagle Street, Ipswich, appeared before Ipswich Magistrates' Court today, Friday 18 November, where he was committed to Ipswich Crown Court on bail, for a next hearing due to be held on Friday 16 December.