A BUILDER has appeared in court charged with raping a woman in Colchester town centre.Rodney Richards, 38, of Hitherwood Road, Colchester, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

By Juliette Maxam

A BUILDER has appeared in court charged with raping a woman in Colchester town centre.

Rodney Richards, 38, of Hitherwood Road, Colchester, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

He was charged with raping a woman in the early hours of Friday morning and was remanded in custody to re-appear in court later this week.

Police are appealing for further witnesses to the alleged attack, which took place when many clubbers were on the streets and about to make their way home.

Richards is accused of raping the local woman, who is in her mid-20s, between 2am and 2.15am on Friday, after many club-goers had been out celebrating St Patrick's Day.

Police were called to High Street following reports that the woman had been attacked as revellers were leaving the Hippodrome Experience nightclub.

Officers arrested Richards shortly afterwards. Detectives questioned him and then charged him with rape late on Friday night.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "CCTV footage shows a large crowd in the locality at the time.

"Detectives would still like to speak to anyone in the area at the time who has not yet spoken with them."

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212.