Woman raped in children’s maze at the Dane John

Police seal off play area after night-time attack

A children’s play area in the Dane John Gardens was sealed off over the weekend after a woman was raped.

Police taped off the maze at the foot of the Dane John Mound after the attack in the early hours of Sunday.

Cafe worker Lauren Rodgers, from Wincheap, passed the scene as she was making her way to work in the city centre.

The 28-year-old said: “It’s not the first time I’ve seen police in the Dane John. I know it’s a popular place and quite busy at night, but you wouldn’t catch me going in there when it’s late.

“The Dane John just has too many places to hide and too many places where it’s very easy for untoward things to happen.” In November two men described as “primal monsters” were convicted of stalking a drunken student in the park in May last year.

Samuel King, 26, received a nine-year sentence after being convicted of attempted rape, attempted robbery and possessing a knife in public.

Damien Davey, 33, was jailed for seven years. He was acquitted of attempted rape, but found guilty of attempted robbery and possessing a knife.

Last month police said there had been 19 crimes reported in the Dane John this year, which the force describes as “not a disproportionate problem” for a city like Canterbury.

Area commander Ch Insp Mark Weller said: “All our officers work tirelessly to protect the people. We have invested a significant amount of resources into the city centre over recent years, including the dedicated team of officers out on patrol during the busy night time economy.”

The force has not provided a description of Sunday’s attacker, who struck at some time between 12.30am and 6am.

Spokesman James Walker said: “Officers are providing support for the victim. At present no arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting crime reference number ZY/039093/17.

Police taped off the Dane John play area after reports of a rape