Woman assaulted by a man in van in Dorchester

Two children were present at the time of the incident

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 22nd Apr 2023

A woman's been assaulted inside a car in Dorchester, with police asking for any witnesses to come forward.

We're told this happened on Herringston Road, between Herringston House and Weldmar Hospice, at around 8.45pm on Wednesday (19th April).

A man, who's known to the victim, is reported to have stopped the white Ford Transit they were travelling in, and assaulted her.

They then stopped a second time, with the driver attempting to drag the woman from the vehicle.

Two children were also in the van, and they left the scene with the woman on foot, walking towards Dorset County Hospital.

A 32-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He has been released on police bail as the investigation continues.

PC David Hughes, of Dorset Police, said:

“We are conducting enquiries into this incident, and I am keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who may have captured any relevant dashcam footage.

“I am particularly keen to speak to a female witness who may have come across the woman around the junction of Herringston Road and Maumbury Road and another woman who was driving a Mini Cooper in the area of Edward Road, near to the junction with the B3147 Weymouth Avenue.”

If you can help with any information, you're asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting reference number 55230059889.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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