TWO men have appeared in court as part of a rape and modern-day slavery investigation.

The pair, Marius Stefan, 42, and Valentine Merclusca, 49, both of Avenue Road, Southampton, were brought before Southampton Magistrates' Court as part of the Hampshire Constabulary probe named Operation Fuel.

It comes after after a 19-year-old woman reported being raped multiple times at a property in Southampton between July 9 and July 18.

Merclusca pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two offences under the Modern Day Slavery Act.

Stefan, who used an interpreter during the hearing, did not enter a plea against two charges of rape.

The duo have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on September 1.

Earlier in the week, police arrested 12 men as part of Operation Fuel. After being granted extensions to question the men, Merclusca, and Stefan were charged.

Six other men were released, but remain under investigation, while four men were released, with no further action.