POLICE have charged a 45-year-old man from Rainhill with a rape and two counts of sexual assault.

Russell Jones, of Ratcliffe Place, Rainhill, was charged yesterday, Wednesday, October 26.

The rape is alleged to have taken place at a property in St Helens and the two alleged offences of sexual assaults in Whiston.

Jones will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, November 24.

Police issue statement

In a statement Merseyside Police said: "Anyone who wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by a specially trained officer.

"Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

"If you do not require immediate police assistance then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences."