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Woman raped by group of men in Oxfordshire churchyard Woman raped by group of men in Oxfordshire churchyard
(30 minutes later)
Police appeal for witnesses over ‘horrific crime’ at St Mary’s Church in Banbury town centrePolice appeal for witnesses over ‘horrific crime’ at St Mary’s Church in Banbury town centre
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a woman was raped by a group of men in a churchyard in an Oxfordshire town.Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a woman was raped by a group of men in a churchyard in an Oxfordshire town.
Officers said they wanted to trace a “Good Samaritan” they believe might have tried to help the woman as well as anyone else who might have information.Officers said they wanted to trace a “Good Samaritan” they believe might have tried to help the woman as well as anyone else who might have information.
The woman, who is in her 30s, was raped by a group of men at St Mary’s Church’s churchyard and the surrounding area of Banbury town centre, police said.The woman, who is in her 30s, was raped by a group of men at St Mary’s Church’s churchyard and the surrounding area of Banbury town centre, police said.
DS Mark Personius, the investigating officer, said: “This is a horrific crime and Thames Valley police is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the offenders.DS Mark Personius, the investigating officer, said: “This is a horrific crime and Thames Valley police is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the offenders.
“I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have tried to help the victim. At this stage, we don’t have a description of this Good Samaritan. However, if you believe you are the woman, please contact the police as you may have vital information that can help us piece together what happened.“I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have tried to help the victim. At this stage, we don’t have a description of this Good Samaritan. However, if you believe you are the woman, please contact the police as you may have vital information that can help us piece together what happened.
“The town centre would have been busy on a Saturday night into the early hours of a Sunday morning. Therefore, I would also appeal to anyone else who saw or heard anything in the area between about 12am and 2.30am [that] morning to come forward.“The town centre would have been busy on a Saturday night into the early hours of a Sunday morning. Therefore, I would also appeal to anyone else who saw or heard anything in the area between about 12am and 2.30am [that] morning to come forward.
“Please check any CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage you have from the area and if you have captured anything that you think may help us, please get in touch.”“Please check any CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage you have from the area and if you have captured anything that you think may help us, please get in touch.”
The church cancelled Sunday’s parish Eucharist, and later said it was praying for the victim.The church cancelled Sunday’s parish Eucharist, and later said it was praying for the victim.
Dr Chukwudi Okeke, a local councillor, told the Bicester Advertiser: “I know this will have shocked the the community. I would like to reassure all residents that the police are doing their best to ensure that Banbury remains a safe place to live and visit.” Dr Chukwudi Okeke, a local councillor, told the Bicester Advertiser: “I know this will have shocked the community. I would like to reassure all residents that the police are doing their best to ensure that Banbury remains a safe place to live and visit.”