Man charged with raping a woman in Gloucester is remanded in custody

A man has been charged with raping a woman in Gloucester and police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information as part of their investigation.

Anachi Thomas, aged 41 and of no fixed abode, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday 23 June) where he was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on 22 July.

The charge relates to an incident on Sunday 21 June, when police received a report of a man raping a woman on Stroud Road at around 10.30pm.

Police have thanked those who have already made contact and are keen to hear from anyone else who lives in the area who may have witnessed a man and a woman walking from Tredworth to Stroud Road between 9pm and 10.30pm.

Additionally, officers would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage which they feel may be relevant.

Officers are in the early stages of an investigation and at this time it is believed that those involved are known to each other.

Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting occurrence 53260049599: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

If you have experienced rape, sexual assault or abuse, and wish to report the crime, contact police by calling 101 or 999 in the case of an emergency. You can also report sexual offences online here: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre support women dealing with the effects of rape and sexual abuse. For more information visit their website https://www.glosrasac.org/