Officers have arrested and charged four men in connection with a rape – all aged in their teens – after a woman was reportedly held against her will at an address
The force confirmed the four teens have been arrested and charged(Image: Getty Images)
A group of four teenagers have been charged in connection with a serious rape investigation after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at a home in Weston-Super-Mare.
The four young men, aged 19, 18 and two 17 year olds, have been arrested and charged after Avon and Somerset Police launched a specialist investigation into a serious sexual offence.
A woman was reportedly threatened and raped at a property on Sunday, June 21, where it is alleged she was kept ‘imprisoned’ during the attack.
Tommy Campbell, 19, from Weston-Super-Mare, has been charged with six counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Rio Welling, 18, from Weston-Super-Mare, has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of false imprisonment.
Due to legal reasons, the 17-year-old boys cannot be named because of their age. One has been charged with three counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. The other 17-year-old has been charged with one count of rape, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
All four were remanded in custody to appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court later today (11 July).
Detective Inspector Natalie Thatcher said: “Our investigation into this incredibly serious incident has been taking place over the past few weeks and the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service are a significant milestone.
“The victim has been updated by specially trained officers who will continue to provide her with as much support as she needs.
“We are aware the co-ordinated pre-planned arrest attempts across Weston and Worle on Thursday did cause some local concern, which is why we wanted to be transparent around why they were necessary. We would like to thank people for their patience while those enquiries were carried out.”
