Woman raped in churchyard by stranger

A woman said to be in her 20s has reportedly been raped in a churchyard reportedly located in Oxfordshire.

The victim was approached by a man she doesn’t know while walking along Church Green in Witney at just after 1.30am on Sunday September 19, and subsequently dragged her into the churchyard of Saint Mary’s Church where she was raped. 

Thames Valley Police’s investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Prescott-Mayling said officers were trawling CCTV and undertaking forensic examinations. He appealed for any witnesses to get in contact.

Mayling said;

 ‘We are in the initial stages of our investigation into a rape that was reported to the force in the early hours of this morning.

‘A thorough investigation has started in earnest, including a trawl of CCTV in the area, taking statements from numerous witnesses, and forensic examinations at the churchyard of Saint Mary’s Church, where we have instated a scenewatch.

‘I would appeal to anyone with any information about the offence to contact Thames Valley Police immediately.

‘The easiest way to contact the force is via our website or by calling 101, quoting investigation reference 43210422024.’