US tourist, 27, ‘raped by homeless attacker, 23, who was then locked in a cubicle by victim’s partner and women who heard her crying’ in public toilets opposite Notre Dame in Paris.
- Prosecutors said the attack happened in the early hours of last Sunday morning
- The woman’s partner and other women locked the alleged rapist in a cubicle
- Then the police arrived and were able to arrest the man who was accused of rape
A homeless man has been charged with rape after an attack on an American tourist in the heart of Paris.
The 23-year-old man from North Africa is said to have approached the 27-year-old woman in a public toilet opposite Notre Dame Cathedral and at the Louis Philippe Bridge.
Neither the attacker 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 banks of the Seine with her partner at the end of a Saturday evening when she entered the toilet building,” a source said.
A 27-year-old tourist was allegedly raped by a homeless man from North Africa in public toilets in Paris at the Louis-Philippe Bridge
The location of the public toilets where the woman was attacked is pictured
“It’s well lit and there were a lot of people around, but the woman’s partner became concerned when she stayed inside late.”
As he entered the restrooms, he heard the woman crying and then realized she was being attacked in a stall.
The victim managed to escape herself, and then her partner and other women in the restroom managed to lock the alleged rapist in a cubicle.
The police then arrived and arrested the man. After questioning, he was charged with rape.
He denied any wrongdoing and said he had an “amicable agreement with the woman” but was remanded in custody.
The woman was taken to the Pitie-Salpetrière hospital in east Paris, where her injuries were treated.
The attack happened in the early hours of Sunday morning near Notre Dame
She has now returned to the USA with her partner, but keeps in touch with the French police and public prosecutor’s office.
The area where the attack took place is always crowded with tourists, including Paris Plage – the city’s “beach” full of holiday attractions.
However, there are always complaints about lawlessness and above all about aggressive young people who threaten passers-by.