Man Charged Following Thornhill Assault

21 October 2013, 10:39 | Updated: 21 October 2013, 10:41

A man's been charged after three teenage girls were assaulted in Southampton.

It happened in Hinkler Park in Thornhill on Friday night (18 October). 18 year old Ryan Walker of Chettle Road is due to appear before Southampton Magistrates today (Monday 21 October).

Two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16 years old were left with facial and head injuries and are being treated in Southampton General. Another 15-year-old girl was also assaulted and sustained minor injuries.

Police say the girls were in the communal area of a block of flats in Chettle Road in Bitterne, on Friday evening, when a man spoke to them on the stairs and there was an exchange of words.

Later that evening, the girls went to the skate park at Hinkler Park where they saw the same man. There was an row and the girls, both from Southampton, were seriously assaulted.

Walker's been charged with four offences, including attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, inflicting grievous bodily harm, common assault and possession of a bladed article. He's been remanded in custody.

The victims' families said:

“We’d like to thank members of the community for coming forward with information and for the support they’ve given us.

“However, we now need to remain calm and let the police get on with the investigation.”

Inspector Chris Spellerberg said:

“There is an extensive investigation underway and a man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

“Members of the community should remember that any vigilante-type attacks or incitement of that type of activity will not be tolerated. This also applies for comments made on social media. Anyone suspected of committing a criminal offence will be dealt with appropriately.”