A NORTH Wales Fathers4Justice campaigner - arrested after an alleged attack on his former partner - is facing trial for the rape of a woman 16 years ago.

Cold Case detectives from the Metropolitan Police have interviewed and charged the Wrexham man with the rape of a New Zealand woman in London in 1988.

It is believed the man came to the attention of the Cold Case squad through modern scientific tests, including DNA samples.

Christopher James Coutanche, 42, who was active in the now disbanded Fathers4Justice movement, was charged with assault after an incident in Sandway Road, Garden Village in Wrexham, on December 30 last year.

It is alleged he drove his car at three people, two of whom were injured.

It is thought one of the party was his ex-partner, a 46-year-old Wrexham woman.

He appeared before Wrexham Magistrates earlier this year to face charges of grievous bodily harm, assault, and dangerous driving.

Magistrates, who would not be able to deal with such a serious assault, remanded him in custody at Altcourse prison, Liverpool, to face trial at crown court.

But while in custody, Coutanche (pictured) came to the attention of the Metropolitan police who were looking into 'historical' crimes, known as cold cases.

They travelled to Liverpool to interview him and have charged him with rape.

He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday of this week but did not enter a plea and the judge adjourned the case until April 21 when Coutanche will be asked to plead either at Liverpool or Blackfriars Crown Court in London.

He was further remanded in custody.