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Four teenagers due in court charged with rape

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyWest of England
News imageGetty Images A police car with blue lights.Getty Images
Four teenagers have been charged and are due to appear in court after a report was made that a woman was raped

Four teenagers are due to appear in court after a woman was raped at a property, police said.

They were arrested and charged on Thursday after a report on an incident, that happened in Weston-super-Mare on 21 June, was made to police. They then appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Court on 11 July.

Tommy Campbell, 19, and Rio Welling, 18, from Weston-super-Mare are due to appear at Bristol Crown Court on 10 August and two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their age, are due to appear at Taunton Magistrates' Court on 13 July.

Avon and Somerset Police said the victim is being supported by specially trained officers who will continue to provide her with as much support as she needs.

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The four people charged are as follows:

  • Campbell has been charged with six counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
  • Welling has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of false imprisonment.
  • A 17-year-old boy has been charged with three counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
  • A second 17-year-old boy has been charged with one count of rape, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

'Incredibly serious incident'

Det Insp Natalie Thatcher said: "Our investigation into this incredibly serious incident has been taking place over the past few weeks and the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service are a significant milestone.

"We are aware the co-ordinated pre-planned arrest attempts across Weston and Worle on Thursday did cause some local concern, which is why we wanted to be transparent around why they were necessary.

"We would like to thank people for their patience while those inquiries were carried out."

Campbell and the two 17-year-olds will be held in custody until they are due in court.

Welling has been released from custody on conditional court bail.

None of the four have entered a plea.

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