Woman passenger raped on late-night train

A YOUNG woman was raped in a train toilet after chatting to two men on a station platform.

The late-night attack happened on a service from St Leonard’sWarrior Square in East Sussex on April 22.

One man left theWadhurst-bound train at Battle then the other attacked the woman.

A 44-year-old man arrested in connection with the attack has been released on police bail pending further investigations. It is thought that the woman and men did not know each other before the assault.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers want to speak to a man who was travelling on the train just before the woman was attacked.

He is described as white, in his 50s, of medium build and with a closeshaven haircut. He was wearing a dark coloured jumper with grey trousers and brown shoes. Police are also anxious to trace two other women who were passengers on the same service.

They sat on a table and were approached by the suspect soon after the rape, between 11 to 11.30pm.

Detective Constable Gemma Littlewood, from BTP’s Major, Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “This was a shocking and disturbing incident to happen to a young woman.”

She said that the victim is receiving specialist support provided by trained police officers.

Det Con Littlewood added: “Thankfully we are not looking to identify anyone else in connection... however our investigation is continuing at pace.

“I urge anyone with information, and particularly those known to have been in the area at the time of the incident, to get in touch as they may hold information which could be vital to our investigation.”