[24 JAN 01] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Rape Claim Withdrawn As Youth Charged

A Coventry youth is to appear before city magistrates tomorrow charged with assault after allegations of rape made by a teenager were withdrawn.

Four people were hunted by police following the claims that a 15-year-old girl was raped in Spon Street on 12 January.

The teenagers, who had been in a bar with her sister and a group of men, said she was raped and assaulted in a yard between Bastille’s and the Shakespeare pub as the group made their way to the Skydome.

After details of the incident were revealed, three people gave themselves up to police and a fourth was arrested.

Police today issued a statement saying that all four were interviewed in regard to the allegations.

A police spokeswoman said the allegation of rape has now been dropped, and no charges are to be brought against three of the suspects.

The fourth, aged 17, has been charged with common assault, and will appear before Coventry youth court tomorrow.

SEE [17 JAN 01] FOUR MEN ARRESTED FOLLOWING COVENTRY RAPE
SEE [15 JAN 01] TEENAGER RAPED IN COVENTRY CITY CENTRE