A POLICE officer from Avon and Somerset Constabulary has been charged with raping a woman and having sex with her while on duty.

Nicholas Stone, from Taunton, is facing four charges, the earliest of which dates back to 1999.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the 40-year-old was a serving officer, working in Tiverton as a police constable, when the alleged offences took place.

At Exeter Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Stone, who has since transferred to Avon and Somerset Police, was charged with raping a woman in Tiverton in the summer of 2001.

He is also accused of willful misconduct by engaging in sexual intercourse with the same woman while he was on duty in 1999 and misconduct by shouting and assaulting her six months later.

Stone is also alleged to have unlawfully threatened, while on duty, to arrest another woman if she failed to do as she was told by him in December 2009. In the latter two charges it is alleged Stone was not acting in the execution of his duty.

By prior arrangement the officer did not appear in court and the case was adjourned until tomorrow.

Stone, of Pitminster, near Taunton, has been granted bail. He was suspended from his post when the allegations came to light and is likely to remain so until the case reaches its conclusion.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Nicholas Stone used to work for Devon and Cornwall Police, in the rank of police constable. He transferred to the Avon and Somerset force since these alleged offences took place.

"We cannot comment on criminal proceedings while they are ongoing."

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that Stone had been suspended but would not comment further on where he worked for the force, his current rank or type of role he now carried out.

In 2003 Stone was one of several officers to receive a commendation from the then Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Maria Wallis, for good police work.