A woman in her 30s was raped by a group of men in the churchyard of St. Mary’s Church in Banbury, United Kingdom, early Sunday morning.
The victim is being supported by trained officers as detectives work to identify those responsible, according to Thames Valley Police. Police are also appealing for a potential witness who may have attempted to help the victim come forward with information.
Detective Sergeant Mark Personius called the attack a “horrific crime” and urged the unidentified female witness to contact police.
"I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have tried to help the victim,” he said in a public statement. “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.”
Personius added that the town center would have been busy between midnight and 2:30 am, when the attack is believed to have taken place, and asked anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the area to come forward.
“There is a scenewatch in place at the church to enable us to carry our forensic examinations. We will also be conducting house to house and CCTV enquiries,” he explained. “I would like to thank local residents and businesses for their ongoing support while we are in the area carrying out our investigation.”
