THE trial of a professional photographer who is accused of sexual offences against 15 different women has begun at Exeter Crown Court.

Paul Brown, who ran a studio in Okehampton under the name Paul Smart, has pleaded not guilty to a total of 28 charges of rape, sexual assault, or voyeurism at Exeter Crown Court.

Brown, aged 41, of Richards Close, Okehampton, is alleged to have carried out the offences 2012 to 2018.

He has denied a total of 18 rapes against seven women, four of sexual assault, and six of voyeurism and the jury have been told the case is likely to take up to six weeks.

He is accused of raping two women four times, one woman three times, three women twice, and one woman on a single occasion.