A 30-YEAR-OLD Harare man has appeared in court on allegations of raping a 61-year-old woman who moves with the aid of a wheelchair. Francis Franco is one of the construction workers the woman had contracted to build her house.

The woman suffered a stroke that paralysed her hands and legs.

Franco denied the rape charges when he appeared before magistrate Mrs Sandra Mupindu.

He was remanded in custody to January 24 for trial.

Prosecutor Mr Liberty Gono alleges that on November 16 last year, Franco went to the woman's house around 1pm and sneaked into the room where she was sleeping.

It is alleged Franco demanded to be intimate with the woman, but she turned down his proposal.

He then switched on the television and increased the volume so that no one would hear the woman's screams.

It is the State's case that Franco raped her once.

The woman screamed for help but no one came to her rescue as Franco had gagged her, it is alleged.

After the act, Franco fled the scene.

The woman later told her neighbour what had happened and they reported the case to the police leading to Franco's arrest.