Cops probe protest 'rape' - The Sun

POLICE were today probing reports that a woman taking part in an 'Occupy' anti-capitalist protest was gang raped in her camp.

Officers are hunting a group of men who entered the site in George Square, Glasgow, where demonstrations were taking place, early this morning.

The men were not part of the protest and were allegedly drinking and chatting with those occupying the land outside Glasgow's City Chambers.

Witnesses said the men were standing outside one of the tents boasting about having sex with a girl, even offering others "a shot".

All official members of the group, which was set up nine days ago, have today left George's Square while police conduct their investigation.

One protester, who asked not to be named, said: "It is bad news. The wee lassie didn't know what was happening.

Crying

"There was a gang of about three men in the tent with the girl at the time and she sounded as if she was crying while they were doing God knows what to her.

"Everyone is quite shaken up about this and there is a real concern that this will bring an end to what has been a peaceful protest."

Another protester, named only as James, said he was woken in the early hours to the sound of a police radio and that was when he learned that a girl had been sexually assaulted.

He said: "I didn't know what was happening until one of the other campers told me.

"Most of the people in the camp have been pretty polite and helpful - nice people really.

"But this has really worried folk - especially the girls staying here. It is not something you'd expect to happen with so many people around."

He added: "This group of guys, I think they said they came from Ruchazie (north-east Glasgow), were just looking for somewhere to jump about and get drunk.

"They were basically looking for trouble and this poor girl has been on the receiving end."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "At approximately 00.45 this morning police received a report of a serious sexual assault on a 28-year-old woman in George Square.

"Officers are still at the scene and inquiries are on-going."

A statement on the Occupy group's Facebook page confirmed the protesters have left the site to help police with their investigation.

It said: "Occupy Glasgow is shocked and deeply saddened about the alleged sexual assault on one of the individuals that have been co-inhabiting George Square with the separate Occupy Glasgow movement.

"Since 15 October, Occupy Glasgow have provided free food, shelter and clothing to some individuals who had none of their own and we immensely regret any harm that may have befallen one of these individuals.

"We are fully committed to working with Strathclyde Police in their current investigation, and in continued improvements to the provision of safety to occupiers, the homeless and the general public that use George Square.

"There are no official Occupy Glasgow members currently on George Square, as we are working with Police and local agencies to resolve the investigation and develop better safety measures for Occupy Glasgow."