DNA evidence links an alleged rapist to sex attacks on three different women stretching back nearly a decade, the High Court has heard.
According to the prosecution the victims were all dragged into alleyways in Newry and Warrenpoint, Co Down and assaulted between 2002 and 2006.
One of them, aged 18, was blindfolded and warned she would be scarred so badly her own family would not recognise her if she told anyone.
Sean Heaton, 46, of John Martin Street, Newry, denies the charges of two counts of rape, false imprisonment, and two counts of attempted rape.
He was refused bail due to the risk of any further offences being committed.
The court also heard how the charges were brought after his DNA was taken in connection with an unrelated domestic incident.
The first attack happened close to Heaton's home on January 13, 2002.
The teenage victim was pulled into an alleyway, blindfolded, had her hands bound behind her back and subjected to a prolonged sexual assault, it was claimed.
It is alleged that Heaton's DNA was matched to samples found on the woman's coat and underpants.
Two years later, on April 11, 2004, a 21-year-old woman was attacked and dragged into the same laneway.
She had a monkey hat put over her face before struggling and screaming out, the court heard.
It was alleged that her ordeal only ended when she managed to convince her attacker that she was only 16 and still a virgin.
She was allowed to leave, but only after being told to take off her torn tights.
It is claimed the same method was used in both assaults, which were carried out within metres of each other.
Charges against Heaton also involve a third alleged attack close to his mother's home in the Mourne Drive area of Warrenpoint on August 27, 2006.
A 42-year-old woman was grabbed from behind and dragged into an alleyway by a man wearing a balaclava and latex gloves.
She fought back and managed to pull a glove off her assailant.
A DNA link to Heaton has again allegedly been established, the court heard.
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