A MAN has been charged after a teenager was sexually assaulted in the street in the early hours of Sunday.

Paul Garden was arrested at his home on Armstrong Close in Birchwood at around 4pm yesterday, Monday, following a police appeal over the incident.

The 18-year-old woman was attacked in Widnes at around 3.30am on Sunday, July 14.

She was walking along Henderson Road when she was pushed to the floor and subjected to a serious sexual assault, with the offender then fleeing the scene in the direction of Cameron Road.

Garden has since been charged with sexual assault in connection with the attack.

The 35-year-old is due to appear at Warrington Magistrates Court tomorrow, Wednesday, to face these charges and has been remanded into custody until then.

Detective inspector Ian Whiley said: “The victim is traumatised following her ordeal and is currently being supported by specialist officers.”

Chief Inspector Simon Parsonage added: “I would like to reassure the local community that incidents such as this are rare in the Widnes area, and we are doing all that we can to establish exactly what has taken place."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML455718, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.