Man arrested following suspected sexual assault in Darlington

A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected sexual assault.

Police were called following reports that a woman had been touched inappropriately by a man in parkland off Blackwell Lane at around 7.30am last Friday (September 25).

An investigation was launched and officers identified several lines of enquiry, which included reviewing CCTV, carrying out house-to-house enquiries, and speaking to witnesses.

As a result, a suspect was identified and efforts were made to locate him.

Shortly before 12.45am today (September 30), officers stopped a vehicle on Bonomi Way, in Darlington, and the driver – a 30-year-old man – was arrested.

He has been taken into police custody where he will be questioned by officers.

During the investigation, two additional similar incidents were identified which police are treating as potentially linked.

These are believed to have happened in Hurworth and Cleveland Terrace, in Darlington.

Detective Inspector Clare Lambert, from Darlington CID, said: “I’d like to thank members of the public who have come forward with vital pieces of information following these incidents, which has resulted in this morning’s arrest.

“If you think you may have information that could assist our investigation and have not yet spoken to us, please call us on 101 or contact us via our website, www.durham.police.uk”