Man charged over Sunderland rape

A man has been charged with rape after a woman was attacked in Sunderland.

Northumbria Police said the 19-year-old woman was approached by a man after she left the Glass Spider nightclub at about 0545 BST on Sunday.

Officers believe she was pulled into an alleyway and raped in a lane behind Athenaeum Street in the city centre.

A 26-year-old Sunderland man appeared before magistrates on Friday. He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on 20 August.