Man attacks woman in care home grounds

Police say the victim was dragged off Banbury Road and subjected to a “serious sex attack” in the grounds of Fairfield Residential Home at about 11.45pm on Monday.

Last night a 24-year-old man from Oxford was in police custody after being arrested following the offence.

Care home manager Alison Parry, who has lived at the home for 12 years, said residents and staff had heard nothing until the police told them what had happened. She said: “There was absolutely nothing to alert us.

“No sound or anything unusual.”

She added: “I have lived in Oxford for a long time and this is the first time I have heard of something happening.

“It is a very busy area right on the Banbury Road so it’s very unusual for this to happen without anyone hearing or seeing anything.”

Summertown city councillor Jean Fooks, a member of the North Oxford Neighbourhood Action Group, said: “It’s very shocking and distressing for the person concerned.

“I very much hope the person is caught so they cannot repeat this sort of crime.”

She added: “Thankfully this is not something that happens often in this area. But wherever it happens it is bad news.”

She also urged women not to walk along late at night.

The Rev Gavin Knight, of St Michael and All Angels Church in Summertown, said: “It’s an awful situation.

“No one wants to see crimes of this nature being carried out in our community.

“As a church we are trying to build a community of trust and anything that goes against this sense of trust between people is serious and I condemn it.”

Police are appealing for witnesses. Det Insp Steve Raffield said: “This was a frightening ordeal.

“We are determined to bring the person responsible to justice.

“This happened on a busy road and there would still have been traffic and pedestrians passing despite the lateness of the hour.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who saw a man hanging around before the incident, or running away after it.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.