Man from Brandon charged with three counts of rape

Published: Monday April 6th 2009 19:30

Last Updated: Tuesday April 7th 2009 11:30

 

A man was, on the evening of Monday April 6th, charged with three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault, following two incidents in Brandon in the early hours of Sunday morning, 5th April.

Christopher Armstrong, aged 20 and of West Drive in Brandon, appeared before Bury Magistrates Court on the morning of Tuesday 7th April and was remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on April 16th.

 

Police have been investigating two allegations of rape in Brandon, after reports of two separate incidents were received in the early hours of Sunday 5th April. The incidents were believed to have happened between 12.30am and 1.30am, both were reported separately to police.

 

At 11.00am on Sunday morning a spokeswoman for Suffolk Police reported that one female was being treated at Addenbrookes Hospital, whilst a second was receiving help and support from specially trained police officers.

 

Two areas of Brandon, off London Road and Thetford Road, were cordoned off whilst inquiries took place, the cordons have since been lifted.

 

Police say they would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Mill Hill or The Avenue (near to Brandon Leisure Centre and playing fields) on Saturday night and may have seen or heard anything suspicious.

 

Additional police officers were patrolling the streets near the incidents in Brandon on Sunday, and were carrying out door to door enquiries.

 

Eddie Stewart, member champion for community safety on Forest Heath District Council and resident of Brandon, told BrandonSuffolk.com "I am shocked to hear that their have been two alleged rapes in our town".

 

He added, "Although I don't know the full details of these allegations, this news, coming so soon after the conviction of Robert English for the abduction a woman from Tesco's car park and her subsequent rape ordeal, makes this latest news even more scary.

 

"Suffolk has one of the best records for community safety in England and Brandon, in particular, is known to be a safe town. That said, nowhere is
truly safe these days, but until we have verified details of the incidents I cannot comment further."

 

Comments made on the social networking site Facebook, show the local community's reaction to the incidents. One comment on the site read "thats so scary! not to feel safe in your own town is bad", other comments made about the news included "never used to be like this years ago hey, need to sort out the sickos and get them out of our town" and "Makes u afraid to go out!!".

 

Anyone with any information should call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.