A man has been charged after a woman was allegedly raped in the Rising Sun Country Park.
Alan Anthony Rothwell, of no fixed abode, was due before magistrates sitting at Newcastle Crown Court this morning, Saturday, April 2.
The 34-year-old faces one count each of rape, digital penetration, robbery and kidnap.
As previously reported on Chronicleive, police were called to the Rising Sun Country Park, in Benton, on Monday, March 28, at around 4.10pm, after a woman reported she had been raped near the Pit Heap area.
An investigation was immediately launched and police officers remained in the area for the last few days carrying out enquiries. The victim is being by specially-trained officers.
Extensive enquiries have been ongoing since and on Friday and Rothwell was arrested on Friday.
Leading the investigation, DCI Shelley Hudson previously said: “We are continuing to support the victim at this time and would once again like to praise her bravery and cooperation with the investigation.
"Our teams have been working tirelessly since Monday, reviewing CCTV and carrying out a range of enquiries."
