A Newquay man has been charged with rape, sexual assault, kidnap, robbery and criminal damage following an incident near the River Gannel on Tuesday.

Nicholas Peppiatt aged 30, from the town remains in custody and is set to appear before Bodmin Magistrates Court this morning, (Thursday, June 12).

The charges follow an allegation that a woman, aged in her twenties, had been assaulted near to the river.

Officers were alerted by a member of the public around 2am 

The victim suffered a head injury and was taken to Treliske by ambulance.

Officers were quickly at the scene and following initial enquiries arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of rape. A second man, aged 30, was arrested later in the day also on suspicion of rape.

The 44-year-old man has been released on police bail until August 5.

A team of officers are working on the investigation and the victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

Police are appealing for any information and are keen to talk to anyone who may have seen something suspicious in and around the area of the Gannel between midnight and 2am to call police on 101 quoting reference 75 of 10th June.

Sergeant James Honeywill, Newquay neighbourhood team leader, said: “Police responded very quickly to this incident and within 12 hours of initial report two suspects had been arrested.

“We would like to reassure the public that this type of incident is extremely rare in Cornwall and that Newquay remains a safe place to live, work and visit”.