A man has been charged with attempted rape following an assault on a woman in Sunderland
Sunderland: On December 30, around 10:40 PM, police got a call about a sexual assault in the Newcastle Road area of Monkwearmouth.
A woman in her 60s was approached by a stranger who assaulted her. Thankfully, some bystanders jumped in to help her.
The poor woman is understandably shaken up, but specially trained officers are there to support her through this tough time.
People nearby managed to hold down a suspect, a man in his 40s, until the police arrived. He was arrested right away.
Now, he’s facing some serious charges, including attempted rape, assault, and non-fatal strangulation.
He appeared in front of magistrates in Newcastle on January 1 and is currently in custody, waiting for his next court date later this month.
Since the incident, police have been busy following up on leads and are asking anyone with information to step forward.
They’re especially keen to hear from anyone who might have dash cam or CCTV footage from that night.
Chief Inspector Louise McClennan praised the bravery of the victim and those who helped her, saying it’s important to recognize their actions.
She noted that while these incidents are rare, they can cause a lot of worry in the community.
The neighborhood team is out and about, encouraging anyone with concerns to chat with an officer.
Chief Insp McClennan also urged anyone with info, no matter how small, to come forward, as it could be crucial for the investigation.
She reminded everyone that victims of sexual offenses have lifelong anonymity and should never be named.
If you have any information, you can reach out to Northumbria Police through social media, their website, or by calling 101 and quoting the reference number: NP-20241230-1003.
