A student has appeared in court accused of invading the privacy of female drivers, after allegedly trying to lure them to isolated areas by telling them their cars or bikes were faulty. The 20-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged after a string of women contacted Police this week to report highway scam claims.

In the wake of the high-profile reports ? and several e-mails raising the alert among female office workers ? officers issued a warning to women residents and tourists not to stop when told by strangers that their tyres were flat or anti-freeze was leaking.

He is now due to stand trial next month.

The student denied four privacy charges relating to incidents on roads in Pembroke and Southampton on September 16.

He also denied the same charge of intruding on the privacy of women in a manner likely to ?alarm, insult or offend?, at both Warwick and Sandy?s on September 17.

All of the women listed in the charges were Bermudian, the court was told.

The Somerset resident also pleaded not guilty to a charge of escaping from custody in Paget on September 19.

The student, represented by defence lawyer Larry Scott, was handed $5,000 bail and told to report to Somerset Police Station three days a week.

The trial was listed to start on October 4 at the Supreme Court, Hamilton. The court heard that the prosecution planned to call at least 20 witnesses.

The defendant was supported in the courtroom by a group of several family members and was clearly upset by his court appearance. The group prayed beside the student before the hearing started.