Woman Raped On St Leonards Train

There's an urgent appeal for witnesses after a woman was raped on board a train from St Leonard’s Warrior Square to Wadhurst.

Police say between 11 and 11.30pm on Friday, April 22, a woman and two men had been speaking on the platform before boarding the train.

One man disembarked at Battle, while the other stayed on the train and sexually assaulted the woman before raping her in the toilet.

A 44-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further investigation.

It is not believed the victim and two men were previously known to each other.

Police are asking the other man who left the train prior to the attack, to please come forward to assist with their enquiries.

He is described a white man in his 50s, of medium build and with a close shaven haircut. He was wearing a dark coloured jumper with grey trousers and brown shoes.

They would also like to speak to two women who were sat at a table on the train and were approached by the man shortly after the incident.

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, who is now receiving specialist support from our officers.

“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.

“Please get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 772 of 22/04/22”