FORMER rugby league player Gareth Hock is facing further criminal charges of rape and assault, police have confirmed.

It comes after the 39-year-old former Wigan Warriors forward was charged earlier this month with controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as with two driving offences.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed this afternoon, Saturday, that Hock has been remanded in custody.

He is set to face the new charges before the courts at a later date.

The force’s Wigan Police team said: “Gareth Hock (05/09/1983), from Wigan, has been charged with multiple offences, including rape, assault and controlling or coercive behaviour, among others.

“He has been remanded in custody and will appear at court at a later date.”

Of the previous charges filed against him, it is alleged that Hock, having been the driver of a vehicle involved in a road accident, failed to report that accident.

It is also accused that, as the driver of a vehicle, failed to stop after a road accident.

These two charges relate to a reported accident involving an Audi A6 on Gathurst Road in Orrell on November 11 last year.

Hock appeared before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court in February, where he pleaded not guilty to the two driving charges.

He did not enter a plea to the controlling and coercive behaviour charge, and he is next due to appear before Manchester Crown Square Crown Court later this month.

Capped by his country on nine occasions, Hock also played for Wigan, Widnes, Salford, Leigh, Featherstone and Barrow before retiring from the sport in 2019.