Wednesday 18 May 2011

Two British students were gang raped by six men after being attacked on an isolated beach on the Caribbean island of St Lucia.

The women - aged 31 and 24 - were taking part in an environmental study and had been preparing to leave when they were confronted by their masked attackers.
Police on the island, popular with British tourists and honeymooners, have arrested six men in connection with the assault.
The names of the women, who are in their early 30s, have not been released by detectives investigating the attack on the Grand Anse beach, where they were camping.
British High Commissioner Karl Burrows described the attack on two women as a “dreadful crime” but said the island remains a “friendly and welcoming country”.
Burrows advised British nationals visiting the island to exercise caution, as they would anywhere else, and pointed out that crime against UK tourists was not widespread.

The alleged assault took place on May 10 when the women were packing up their belongings and preparing to move to another campsite.
The women returned from a field study and noticed their belongings had been tampered with but were attacked by the masked men before they could leave.
The assault only ended when the headlights of an approaching car disturbed the attackers who fled.
Officials with the island's Ministry of Agriculture are also involved in the police investigation as it is believed the women were involved in a project on their behalf.
Police arrested six men within 24 hours of the assault.
"We are pleased with speed at which the officers were able to apprehend the suspects in this case, and we are very thankful to members of the public who might have provided information leading to their arrests,” Police Commissioner Vernon Francois said.
The men are due to appear in court later this week charged with rape.
Grande Anse, on the north side of the island, is one of St Lucia's most secluded beaches, known for its rougher waters and unspoiled coastline.
It attracts small groups of nature-lovers who camp during the turtle-nesting season.
Around 67,000 Britons visited St Lucia last year.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an incident involving two British nationals in St Lucia. We have offered consular assistance."

 

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