Rodney Hampton, 58, appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday where he formally entered pleas to two counts of rape dating back to 1988, when he was 24.

Hampton admitted to raping a 20-year-old woman in Bendigo on January 15 of that year. He also pleaded guilty to raping a 16-year-old girl on March 19, 1988.

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Forensic samples were taken in both cases and a DNA profile was obtained in 2012.

Then in June 2019, a DNA sample from Hampton was examined and allegedly matched to the samples taken from one victim's underwear and a vaginal swab from the other.

Hampton was arrested on November 2 last year and was released on bail in February.

Hampton will face the County Court next month for a directions hearing ahead of his plea date

His bail was extended to his next court appearance.

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