Man Charged With Eastbourne Assaults, Theft

Tuesday, 21 September 2021 06:21

A man has been charged on suspicion of theft and indecency offences in an Eastbourne park.

Police were called to Eastbourne High Street, by steps leading to Gildredge Park, at 3.30pm on Tuesday, September 14th after reports a 13-year-old girl had been assaulted by a man who'd made off into the park.

Officers went into the park where they arrested a man on suspicion of the assault, and of indecent exposure there.

Luke McHale, 32, unemployed, of Woodhall Lane, South Reddish, Stockport, was charged with: attempted sexual assault of the 13-year-old, sexually assaulting another 13-year-old girl nearby, indecent exposure, two thefts of alcohol from nearby Waitrose, assaulting a member of Waitrose staff, and assaulting a police officer while in custody.

He appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on 16 September where he pleaded guilty to the two thefts, the assaults on shop staff and on the police officer, and the sexual assault.

He pleaded not guilty to the attempted sexual assault and the indecent exposure and was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 14 October.

Detective Constable David Kitcher said:

"If you were in or around Gildredge Park or High Street that afternoon and saw anything of what happened, please contact us either online or by calling 101, quoting serial 785 of 14/09."

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