A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court yesterday, Tuesday, October 15 charged with the attempted rape of a woman in Chelmsford.

Police were contacted shortly before 4am on Sunday, October 13 following concerns for the welfare of a woman on George Street. Officers arrived and found a local woman in her 20s in a distressed state.

Jin Zheng was arrested at the scene and later charged with one count of attempted rape. The 38-year-old unemployed man from Anchor Street in the town was detained in police custody prior to his appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates Court yesterday after which he was remanded in court custody until his appearance at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, December 23.