Man is remanded in custody following court appearance

A man has been remanded in custody after appearing at court in connection with the rape of an elderly woman in Gloucester.

Eric Barton, aged 76 and of Gloucester, has been remanded in custody to reappear at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday 1 April after an application for bail was refused.

The charge relates to an incident which took place in the Hucclecote area of Gloucester on Saturday afternoon (5 March).

Barton appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' court this afternoon, Monday 7 March.

An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Information can be submitted by calling 101 and quoting incident 287 of 5 March or using the following online form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/