Police investigating suspected rape at HTB Focus Festival

A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape at Holy Trinity Brompton's Focus Festival.

The man was arrested on Wednesday and is being questioned by Hampshire Police.

Worship in the Big Top at Focus 2018. Focus/Facebook

The festival at the Somerley Estate on the Hampshire-Dorset border attracts thousands of mainly younger people and is badged as 'a week of teaching, worship and community for HTB and associated churches'. HTB is associated with the Alpha Course popularised by Nicky Gumbel.

This year the gathering was addressed by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullalley, and RT Kendall.

Participants saw police on site as festival-goers were packing up to leave on Tuesday.

A police spokesman told Premier: ' A police spokesman said: 'We were called at 05.06am on August 1 to a report of a 21-year-old woman being sexually assaulted at the Focus Festival which was being held at the Somerley Estate, north of Ringwood at some point between 1.30 am and 2 am.

' The victim is receiving support from specialist officers.

'A 54 year-old man who is not from Hampshire has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in custody at this time.'

HTB told Premer it would not comment on the case as it was a police matter.

News
Presbyterian Church in Ireland urged to return to God during safeguarding crisis
Presbyterian Church in Ireland urged to return to God during safeguarding crisis

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has said the denomination is going through “an ecclesiastical earthquake”.

Christians support X in legal challenge against EU's 120 million euro fine
Christians support X in legal challenge against EU's 120 million euro fine

The fine was handed down on 5 December last year for alleged breaches of transparency and procedural obligations under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Police officer praised for defending right to preach in Muslim area
Police officer praised for defending right to preach in Muslim area

A female police officer who apparently defended the rights of a Christian street preacher against complaints from a crowd of Muslim men in London has been praised for her actions. 

Welsh Senedd members urged to reject assisted suicide bill
Welsh Senedd members urged to reject assisted suicide bill

Members of the Welsh Senedd will on Tuesday decide whether to give their consent to Kim Leadbeater MP's assisted suicide bill.