Alleged serial rapist Joseph McCann refuses to appear at the Old Bailey to face 21 charges

An alleged serial rapist accused of abducting multiple women across the country over a two-week period has refused to appear in court for a second time.

Joseph McCann, 34, had been due to appear at the Old Bailey via video link at 10am for a plea and direction hearing.

But the court heard from a dock officer at HMP Belmarsh who said the defendant had twice declined to accompany staff from the prison's healthcare wing to the video court room.

"He's refused to leave his cell for me, your honour," he told Mr Justice Edis.

McCann, from Aylesbury, Bucks, had also refused to attend his last hearing, forcing a senior judge to take the unprecedented move of transferring the court to Belmarsh prison.

Emma Arbuthnot, chief magistrate at Westminster magistrates' court, took a taxi to Belmarsh, where proceedings were conducted under the court's royal crest, transported in an Argos carrier bag.

Legally, a defendant charged with an indictable offence has to be present at a preliminary hearing before a case can be sent to trial.

But Mr Justice Edis said the case could now proceed in his absence.

He said the defendant was entitled to make his own "free choice" regarding his appearance in court and that arangements must be made to inform McCann that if he chooses not to attend, the trial may proceed in his absence.

Paul Milan, defending, said he was not in a position to enter a plea but revealed he had recently had a “constructive dialogue” with McCann at Belmarsh and that there was “every indication“ he did require representation.

The judge said he would make a “provisional assumption” that the case would go to trial and set a start date for November. The trial is expected to last six weeks.

A psychiatric report is due to be submitted ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for July 26.

McCann is charged with 21 offences against eight alleged victims, aged between 11 and 71, across five police force areas over a two-week period between April 21 and May 5.

During one alleged incident, McCann is said to have tied a woman up in her own home and committed sexual offences, including rape, against her 17-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.