Police are on the hunt for an “unidentified male” after a woman was raped twice in the space of nine days on a Scottish island.
The victim, who is in her 40s, was attacked in the Creagorry area of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.
The first serious sexual assault occurred between 10.30pm on Friday 8 September and 3am on Saturday 9 September.
The second took place between 1.15am and 2.15am on Monday 18 September.
Both incidents are believed to have involved the same man, who is yet to be identified.
Detectives have described the case as being “extremely unusual” and “extremely concerning”.
The investigation is being led by specialist officers from Police Scotland‘s national Public Protection Unit.
Detective Inspector Craig Ross said: “These two reported incidents are obviously extremely unusual for an island community such as Benbecula.
“We are providing support to the woman involved in our investigation to establish the full circumstances. I would urge anyone who may have information or who may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward.”
The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, medium build, clean shaven, with greyish white hair and an English accent.
Chief Inspector Jane Mackenzie, Western Isles area commander, added: “These reports are obviously extremely concerning and we are providing a visible police presence in the area.
“Local officers are supporting and assisting our national colleagues with this investigation. If anyone has any concerns or information then I would urge you to call 101, or approach any of our officers.”
A 16-year-old boy has been charged after another teenager was stabbed in the chest in front of shoppers at a Primark store in Nottingham.
The 17-year-old victim was seriously injured in the shop in Long Row at about 11.30am on Sunday, police said.
A boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested a few hours after the incident and has now been charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place, Nottinghamshire Police added.
He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear before magistrates on Monday.
The victim is in a stable condition and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gould, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We understand the alarm this incident has caused and I’d like to reassure the public we have been working at pace to build a full picture of what had happened – and why.
“I am pleased we have now been able to charge a suspect in this case.
“As we continue to progress with our investigation, we are still urging anyone who has information which could assist us with our inquiries, who hasn’t already come forward, to please contact us as soon as possible.”
Rocks and a scooter have been thrown at trains from a bridge above a 120mph railway line, an operator has said.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) said a train was damaged in the first recorded incident on 3 February when a large scooter was hurled off a pedestrian bridge near Loughborough station in Leicestershire.
Builders’ waste and masonry were dropped onto a track from the bridge – which connects Allsopp’s Lane with Little Moor Lane – and a rock was thrown at a train on 16 February.
Another object was thrown from the bridge, smashing a train’s windscreen, a day later.
The “incredibly dangerous” incidents impacted 21 services and caused more than three-and-a-half hours of delays, the operator said.
Image: Masonry has also been dropped on to tracks. Pic: EMR/PA
Danielle Clarke, EMR community safeguarding and security manager, said: “These acts are not pranks or a bit of harmless fun, but incredibly dangerous crimes that put customers and staff at serious risk of injury or worse.
“They also lead to trains being damaged, delayed, and services being cancelled.”
She said action was being taken to address the issue, and appealed to members of the public to report any similar incidents or suspicious behaviour on or around railways to British Transport Police.
Dan Matthews, head of operations delivery at Network Rail, said: “These acts of vandalism not only put lives at serious risk but also cause significant disruption to our rail network.
“We work closely with train operators like EMR, and British Transport Police, to prevent such incidents and catch those responsible.”
He added: “The safety of passengers and railway staff is our top priority, and we will not tolerate actions that compromise this.”
A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering his mother and two younger teenage siblings in Luton last year.
Nicholas Prosper, 19, appeared at Luton Crown Court over the deaths of Juliana Falcon, 48, Giselle Prosper, 13, and Kyle Prosper, 16.
Their bodies were found at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive, in September.
As he appeared in court on Monday, he spoke to confirm his identity and to plead guilty to three counts of murder.
Prosper also admitted a number of other offences, including purchasing a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place.
He will be sentenced on 5 March and has been remanded in custody.
A friend of Prosper’s mother previously described her as someone who “lived for her children” and said she was “a positive person who will be so terribly missed”.
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A statement on X, from the headteacher at Lea Manor High School, said they were “deeply shocked” by the death of Giselle.
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and a model pupil, she excelled in all her subjects and will be sorely missed, particularly by her friends in Year 9.”