A man charged with two historic rape charges in Whangarei has been denied bail.
Walter Stephens, 47, appeared in Taumarunui District Court yesterday where his bail application was turned down.
The man was remanded in custody and will appear in Whangarei District Court on January 6 to face the charges.
Scientific advances in DNA testing has led to the arrest of Stephens almost 23 years after the alleged rape in Whangarei.
Whangarei detectives travelled to Taumarunui, in the King Country, this week and interviewed a 47-year-old man who was charged with sexual violation by rape, abduction and threatening to kill a 19-year-old woman on January 4, 1991.
Following questioning by Detective Sergeant Aaron Crawford and Detective Wayne Pirret the man was also charged with the sexual violation of another 19-year-old woman in Whangarei, during 2005.