US tourist, 27, raped in public toilets opposite Notre Dame in Paris

US tourist, 27, is raped in public toilets opposite Notre Dame in Paris ‘by homeless attacker, 23, who was then trapped in a cubicle by victim’s partner and women who heard her crying’

• Prosecutors said the attack happened in the early hours of last Sunday morning
• The woman’s partner and other women trapped the alleged rapist in a cubicle
• Police then arrived and managed to arrest the man, who was charged with rape

A homeless man has been charged with rape after an attack on an American tourist in the heart of Paris.

The man, who is 23 and originally from North Africa, is said to have approached the woman, 27, in a public toilet opposite Notre Dame Cathedral, and by the Louis-Philippe bridge.

Neither the assailant nor his victim can be identified for legal reasons, but Paris prosecutors said the attack happened in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

‘The American woman was walking along the bank of the Seine at the end of a Saturday night out with her partner, when she entered the toilet block,’ said an investigating source.

A 27-year-old tourist was allegedly raped by a homeless man originally from North Africa in the public restrooms in Paris by the Louis-Philippe bridge

The location of the public toilets where the woman was attacked is pictured

The attack happened in the early hours of last Sunday morning close to Notre Dame

‘It is well lit, and there were plenty of people around, but the woman’s partner became concerned when she remained inside for a long time.’

When he entered the toilets, he heard the woman crying, and then realised she was being attacked in a cubicle.

The victim managed to flee herself, and then her partner and other women in the toilet managed to trap the alleged rapist in a cubicle.

Police then arrived and managed to arrest the man. Following questioning he was charged with rape.

He denied any wrongdoing, saying he had a ‘consensual arrangement with the woman’, but was remanded in custody.

The woman was taken to the Pitie-Salpetrière hospital in eastern Paris, where she was treated for injuries.

She has since returned to the USA with her partner, but is keeping in touch with French police and prosecutors.

The area where the attack happened is always packed with tourists, and includes Paris Plage – the urban ‘beach’ full of holiday attractions.

There are frequent complaints about lawlessness, however, and especially about aggressive youths threatening passers-by.

The area where the attack happened is usually packed with tourists. Police charged the man with rape. The woman returned to the USA with her partner, but is keeping in touch with French police and prosecutors

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