Man due in court over North Melbourne rape

The man charged with the brutal bashing and rape of a Melbourne mother as she walked home is due to reappear in court.

Zynal Javid Khan, 34 of Reservoir, made a brief appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday night, charged with sexual penetration without consent, serious injury and assault and stealing the victim's handbag.

Khan is accused of stalking the 22-year-old woman for more than a kilometre through North Melbourne before bashing her, dragging her into a laneway and raping her on June 30, 2013.

The woman had a seven-week-old son at home at the time and it was her first night out with friends since giving birth.

Khan was arrested and charged on Wednesday, less than two weeks after Victoria Police and the victim made a renewed appeal for information along with a $500,000 reward.

He has not applied for bail and is expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday for a formal file hearing.

A 37-year-old woman was also arrested on Wednesday and was expected to be interviewed over perjury and false alibi offences.