Hastings man charged with attempted rape of woman in St Leonards

Sussex Police said Edhuard Gheorghe Olteanu, 34, of Pelham Crescent, Hastings, has been charged with attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Officers received a report of a woman being approached by a man in Strood Road, near to Alexandra Park, at around 7pm on July 11, last year.

The man briefly engaged in conversation before sexually assaulting the woman, said police. He then fled the scene after the victim sought help from members of the public.

A police spokesman said: “Officers conducted extensive enquiries following the incident and on Thursday, August 6, arrested a man in connection with the investigation.

“On Friday (August 7), Edhuard Gheorghe Olteanu, 34, a car valeter, of Pelham Crescent, Hastings, was charged with attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault and false imprisonment.

“He has been remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (August 8).”