A man has been charged with kidnapping and rape after a woman was reportedly attacked following a journey from Wigan to St Helens town centre.
Incident details
The woman is said to have entered a car with a group of friends at around 1am on Sunday, September 27, believing it to be a taxi. The vehicle travelled from Wigan to St Helens town centre, where the incident is reported to have taken place.
James Paterson, 30, of Inglewhite Road, Longridge, was charged yesterday, Wednesday, September 30, with two counts of rape, sexual assault, kidnap and assault.
Court proceedings
Paterson has been remanded into custody until his next court hearing on Wednesday, October 28, at Liverpool Crown Court.
Detective Inspector Jamie Heston said: “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.”
Appeal for information
“If you have any information, please let us know as we continue with our enquiries. Any information could be vital to our investigation,” Heston added.
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. Information can also be reported via the force's website or by calling 101 quoting incident reference 26000793391. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website. In an emergency, always call 999.
Victims of sexual offences or those with concerns for someone they know can call 101 to speak to specially trained officers. Rape and sexual assault can also be reported anonymously via the Merseyside Police website if immediate police assistance is not required.
Specialist support services are available free of charge to anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or rape, without needing a referral or having reported the incident to police. In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside on 0151 558 1801, and in St Helens and Knowsley by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
