An 18-year-old youth has been charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in an early morning attack alleged to have taken place in a Flaxmere park 10 weeks ago.
Police revealed the arrest yesterday, saying the accused teenager will appear in Hastings District Court tomorrow.
The incident was reported to have happened early on the morning of March 11, as the girl walked home from a friend's place. She was reported to have told police a man began following her near the Flaxmere Village, and grabbed her from behind, dragged her to the ground and raped her near a skatebowl.
Police appealed widely for information relating to the incident, and said the arrest was made after "new evidence" was received.
