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Police investigate sexual assault on young man in Dane John Gardens

11:00, 18 June 2015

Detectives are investigating allegations a young man suffered a serious sexual assault in a
city park.

The late-night attack is said to have occurred after the alleged victim spent the evening in Limes Lounge and Diner in Canterbury city centre.

It is thought he left the bar in Rosemary Lane before being attacked by another man in a nearby park area – possibly Dane John Gardens.

Dane John Gardens in Canterbury
Dane John Gardens in Canterbury

A police spokesman said: “We are conducting inquiries after a man reported he was sexually assaulted in Canterbury city centre in the early hours of June 7.”

The Dane John area has been a focus of police investigations in recent months following reports of several attacks.

In May two men were attacked by a gang of youths armed with dog chains and iron bars as they walked through the park at night.

Matthew White, 28, had his ear torn in half while pal Joshua Buggins, also 28, suffered a broken nose and chipped teeth.

The alleged victim says he was assaulted after a night out in Canterbury
The alleged victim says he was assaulted after a night out in Canterbury

Weeks earlier, a 21-year-old man was set upon by a group of youngsters as he tried to help a girl who was apparently in trouble.

The youngsters, including the girl, attacked the victim and tried to drag him towards the edge of the city wall.

The victim, who was too scared to be identified, claimed he was convinced the group intended to throw him from the wall.

Joshua Buggins was attacked in the Dane John Gardens
Joshua Buggins was attacked in the Dane John Gardens

It is not thought the earlier attacks are connected with the sexual assault.

A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old boy arrested in connection with the assault on Mr White and Mr Buggins have been rebailed to appear at Canterbury police station on July 22.

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