Two teenage boys have been charged after a vulnerable young woman and two teenage girls were allegedly raped in two separate counties. 

The alleged assaults happened at addresses in North Somerset, western Somerset and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with three counts of rape of a girl aged under 16, one count of non-fatal strangulation and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. 

And a 16-year-old boy is charged with three counts of rape of a girl aged under 16, one count of rape of a woman aged 16 or over, one count of non-fatal strangulation and one of assault causing bodily harm.  

Police said the charges relate to a vulnerable young woman and two teenage girls aged under 16. 

The accused, both from Somerset, have been remanded into youth detention after appearing at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. 

Neither can be named for legal reasons but they are both of ‘white British’ ethnicity. 

The boys will appear at Taunton Crown Court for their next hearing on Friday, September 25.   

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.