Soap star on holiday rape charge

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/6204146.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Emmerdale star Ben Freeman has been charged with raping a British woman while on holiday on Barbados, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

The 26-year-old actor, who plays Scott Windsor in ITV1's long-running soap, is accused of an attack which was reported to local police on Wednesday.

Both Mr Freeman and the woman had been receiving "consular assistance" on the Caribbean island, a spokeswoman added.

He had been due in court on Friday but the hearing was postponed, she said.

The spokeswoman went on: "A female British national has reported an alleged rape. That was reported to the Barbadian police on Wednesday 29 November.

"The accused is also a British national and we can confirm his details. The next of kin are aware and both individuals are receiving consular assistance."

Mr Freeman's agent Katie Threlfall said she was aware of the story but had no way of contacting him and so could make no comment.

An Emmerdale spokeswoman added that she could not confirm any details at present.