A two-week-old baby was in a serious condition today after allegedly being raped in Belfast.

The baby is in intensive care at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, and a 25-year-old man has been charged with rape and grievous bodily harm with intent.

The man appeared at Armagh Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, and the infant is said to be from the seaside village of Annalong in County Down.

The baby is in intensive care at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (pictured) today

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman told MailOnline: 'Detectives from PSNI Serious Crime Branch investigating an incident in which an infant from the Annalong area sustained a number of serious injuries, charged a 25 year old man with rape and grievous bodily harm with intent.

'The man appeared at Armagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 2.'

More to follow