Reward offered after rape in St Leonards

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? DETECTIVES RELEASE MOVING CCTV FOOTAGE AND OFFER £5000 REWARD AFTER WOMAN RAPED – ST LEONARDS WARRIOR SQUARE, HASTINGS

Following the rape of a woman in the London Road area of Hastings on Sunday, 11 April, British Transport Police (BTP) detectives have now released moving footage of a man they believe could hold key information in relation to the incident. Investigators are also offering a £5000 award to anyone who can provide information leading to a court conviction in connection with the incident.

The 18-year-old victim was attacked around 4am on Sunday, 11 April, as she walked along the alley running parallel to St Leonards Warrior Square rail station in Kings Road.

Following the attack, a man was seen running from the scene along London Road and possibly entering Silchester Road.

The victim, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, remains at home with her family recovering from the incident, which left her extremely distressed. She had been in Hastings visiting friends.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Jones, senior investigating officer, said:

"Our enquiries to establish exactly what took place are continuing and I urge anyone with information that could help our investigation to come forward.

“The man captured in the CCTV footage was seen walking alongside the victim shortly before she was attacked. If you recognise the man, or are the man himself, we would like you to come forward and talk to us as we believe he could hold vital information in relation to the incident.

Anyone with any information about the incident or who recognises the man pictured in the CCTV footage should contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B9 (LSA) of 13/04/10 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Find Further advice to keep safe in the dark here.