A man has been charged after the alleged rape of a woman inside a car in St Helens.
Merseyside Police received a report that a woman got into a car she believed was a taxi with a group of her friends in Wigan at around 1am on Sunday, with the vehicle then heading to St Helens town centre, where the offence is alleged to have taken place.
Charges and court appearance
James Paterson, 30, of Longridge, has been charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault, kidnap and assault. He has been remanded into custody ahead of his next court hearing on October 28 at Liverpool Crown Court, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The statement from Merseyside Police read: "A man has been charged with kidnap and several sex offences after it was reported that a woman was raped inside a car in St Helens."
Investigation ongoing
Detective Inspector Jamie Heston, of Merseyside Police, said the investigation remains ongoing. He stated: "Although a man has been charged our investigation is ongoing and we are appealing to anyone with more information on what happened on that night or regarding similar incidents to come forward.
"If you have any information, please let us know as we continue with our enquiries. Any information could be vital to our investigation."
Appeal for information
The force is urging anyone with information to come forward, as it could be "vital". Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police through X or Facebook @MerPolCC, online, or by calling 101, quoting incident reference 26000793391. Details can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
