A MAN has been charged after a woman was allegedly raped in the back of a van in a seaside town.
The 41-year-old victim reported she was attacked in the early hours of the morning last Saturday (May 23).
She told officers she met a man earlier that evening at the Duke of Wellington pub in Brighton Road, Shoreham.
The alleged attack took place later in the back of a van in Dolphin Road.
Specialist officers provided the woman with support immediately after the report was made, as an was swiftly launched.
Michael Schuchard, 62, of no fixed address, was arrested shortly after.
Officers then charged him with rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of possession of .
He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, May 25.
Schuchard was released on conditional court bail.
He is due to appear at a court to be determined on Tuesday, June 23.
Detective Inspector Gary Jacobs said: “I understand reports such as these are concerning for the wider community, and this was treated with the seriousness it deserves.
“Detectives have worked round-the-clock since this report was received to gather any available evidence and support the victim.
“This support will continue throughout the court process.
“Anyone who has information that could support the investigation is asked to report to us online or via 101, quoting Operation Longview.”
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