Woman asks for review into alleged sex attack in city
The woman at the centre of allegations of a serious sexual offence at a house in Sunderland has asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to review the evidence in the case.
Six men were arrested after reports that a 26-year-old woman had been attacked at an address in Peel Street overnight between Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4, last year.
However, the CPS took the decision there was “insufficient evidence” to proceed with the case.
A series of demonstrations have been held in Sunderland city centre in support of the woman, with another planned for later this month.
Chief Superintendent Ged Noble said: “Northumbria Police is surprised to hear of the organisers’ decision to go ahead with the planned demonstration in Sunderland next weekend.
“These organisers are fully aware of the position in the legal case. The complainant has taken up her right to ask the CPS to review the evidence and the CPS will do so.
“Should the organisers still proceed with their plans to demonstrate, the police and partner agencies will ensure that disruption and upset to Sunderland people and businesses are kept to a minimum.
“It is, therefore, highly likely that conditions will be imposed.”
The Echo reported on the assault allegations when they were first investigated by the police and the subsequent arrests and decision not to charge anyone.
Several people have questioned our lack of coverage of the demonstrations, how- ever, the woman at the centre of the case has, on more than one occasion, contacted the newspaper to insist nothing is reported about the matter. She said: “I’d like to make this clear that I do not give any permission for any stories to be wrote about the incident that happened in Peel Street several months back.”
From the time an allegation is made, victims of a wide range of sexual offences are given anonymity for life and the Sexual Offences (Amendment Act) 1992 imposes a lifetime ban on reporting any matter likely to identify the victim of a sexual offence.