AN asylum seeker who is accused of trying to rape a 17-year-old boy has been granted bail by magistrates.

Soran Mohammed will be released from custody to live at a bail hostel if a bed can be found for him.

The 34-year-old, who has been granted leave to remain in Britain, is accused of trying to have sex the teenager against his will on the evening of July 27.

Though he was brought before the court in custody magistrates ruled he should be allowed out on bail on the condition that a place can be found for him outside of the town.

A Swindon Magistrates Court he spoke through a Kurdish translator only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Mohammed came to Britain from Kurdistan as an asylum seeker three years ago and won permanent residency.

He settled in Swindon and now works full time at BMW.

Magistrates remanded him in custody on condition that he should be allowed his freedom if a bail hostel outside the Swindon post code area can be found to accommodate him.

He will then not be allowed to come to Swindon apart from pre-arranged appointments with his solicitor or to attend court, and may not contact the alleged victim. He was also ordered to surrender his passport.

No plea was entered on the charge of attempted rape.