A man has appeared in court charged with rape and wounding with intent following a serious incident in Benfleet.

This follows around-the-clock work led by detectives with our Serious Crime Directorate.

At around 11pm on Monday 22 September, we received a call reporting a woman had been the victim of a serious assault in the area of Villa Road Recreation Ground.

She told us she had been approached by a man, who raped her before assaulting her with a knife as she fled.

The woman received treatment for a wound which was thankfully not life-threatening.

Officers swiftly attended and, after an area search, made an arrest a short time later.

A number of enquiries have continued since then to gather evidence.

This work has included the recovery of a knife following further search activity.

After the preparation of a file for the Crown Prosecution Service, Kyle Pauley, 23, of Brook Road, Benfleet, has been charged with rape, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates Court on Friday 26 September, where he was remanded in custody until a further hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 24 October.

Detective Inspector Lydia George, senior investigating officer, said: “I’m acutely aware of the widespread public concern that will follow an incident like this.

“Although incidents of this nature are thankfully rare in Benfleet and wider Essex, they demand our focus and utmost attention as a police force when they do occur.

“That is exactly what has happened in this case.

“Since it was first reported to us, we’ve worked hard to get to where we are now – the point of charge.

“This included the initial response, securing an arrest very quickly after the call first came into us.

“It also includes our enquiries in gathering the evidence we needed to take the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, and it includes ensuring specialist support will remain in place for the woman at the heart of this matter throughout this case.

“If anyone has any information or footage which could further assist us in this matter, we’ve set up this dedicated public portal for you to contact us.”