A MAN has been charged after a woman was allegedly raped in Bournemouth in December.

Dorset Police received a report at 4.37am on Sunday, December 1 that a woman, aged in her 30s, had been raped.

The incident reportedly occurred in the Norwich Road area at around 4am.

It is believed the victim had met the offender earlier that night.

And now a 32-year-old man from Bournemouth has been charged with rape and is due to appear before Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 11.

Detective constable Tony O’Connell, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We have kept the victim updated throughout the investigation and she continues to be supported by specially-trained officers.

“It is important to stress, as is typical in such circumstances, that it would be entirely inappropriate for Dorset Police to comment any further ahead of the court proceedings.

“It is vital that the justice system is allowed to follow its course.”