Man arrested over rape of mother forced into car with toddler

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the rape of a mother who said she was forced into a car with her toddler.

Cleveland Police said the 31-year-old suspect is a local man.

The woman, who is in her 30s, has said there were two men in the car and that she was raped by them both.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Young, who is leading the investigation, said the woman had screamed for help as she and her child were driven off from the promenade near the boating lake in Redcar between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Friday.

The men, who had pulled up in a dark-coloured saloon before getting out, forced the woman and her child into the back before driving to Longbeck Lane in Yearby, where she was raped.

Her ordeal is said to have continued until the evening, lasting for up to seven hours.

The child was apparently unhurt.

Police issued descriptions of two suspects prior to the arrest.

The driver is described as white and between 5ft 7in and 5ft 10in, with the word "love" tattooed across his knuckles. He is said to be in his late twenties or early thirties, of large build and with short brown hair.

The passenger is described as a white man in his early 20s, around 5ft 5in to 5ft 6in. He is said to be clean shaven and of medium build, with brown hair and a local accent.

Speaking on Monday, DCI Young said people would have been walking their dogs on the promenade in Redcar when the abduction happened.

Anyone with information should call Cleveland Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

(c) Sky News 2017: Man arrested over rape of mother forced into car with toddler