Hundreds of people have gathered for a protest against child rape outside a court in the South African city of Pretoria.

Nicholas Ninow, 20, was arrested after allegedly raping a young girl in the public toilets of a restaurant last month.

Abuse was shouted at him from the public gallery today as he made his second court appearance.

Mr Ninow faces charges of rape, intimidation, possession of drugs and assault with intent to due grievous bodily harm. He is not applying for bail.

Bystanders say he had followed the seven-year-old girl from a play area to the toilet where he allegedly raped her.

In court, his lawyer outlined the injuries he suffered when members of the public confronted him in the restroom.

He sustained several cuts to his face, neck and earlobe from broken bottles and claims the police also assaulted him after his arrest.

This case has elicited widespread anger in South Africa.

Recent police statistics show 46 children are raped in the country every day, yet the conviction rate remains very low.