POLICE have charged a man with the rape of a woman last week.

Detectives from Public Protection Branch, investigating the serious sexual assault of a 19 year old woman in the Malone Avenue area of Belfast on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, have charged a 35 year old man with a number of offences including rape, sexual assault and theft.

He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, Tuesday, March 22, for a first remand hearing.

As is normal procedure all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.