British soldiers in custody in US on rape charge

Two British soldiers have appeared in court in the US, charged with rape.

22-year-old Scott Aitken, from Edinburgh, and Andrew Leighton, a 28-year-old from Leeds, are alleged to have attacked a woman in June while on a training exercise in Wyoming.

Both pleaded not guilty to a charge of first degree sexual assault, which carries a maximum jail term of 50 years imprisonment.

They will be held in joint British and American military custody until their trial in December.

The court refused a request from the men to be transferred back to Britain until their trial starts.