Charges relate to five reports of sexual assault, including three from women who were attacked near university in recent weeks

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a number of sexual assaults near the University of Manchester.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with five counts of sexual assault. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Manchester city magistrates court on Monday.

The charges relate to five reports of sexual assault, including three from women aged 21, 27 and 31, who were sexually assaulted near the university between Saturday 21 September and Saturday 5 October.

The boy was arrested after a well-publicised appeal over the weekend in Manchester.

An 18-year-old man who was arrested in connection with these incidents has been bailed pending further inquiries, Greater Manchester police said on Monday.

The first offence allegedly happened at about 6.15pm on Saturday 21 September. A 27-year-old woman was walking through the university's grounds near Lloyd Street North when she was approached from behind and grabbed. She screamed and the offender threatened her. He grabbed her again before running away.

Minutes later, at around 6.30pm, a 21-year-old woman was nearby on Oxford Road when she was allegedly approached by a boy who made lewd comments. The woman carried on walking on to Moss Lane East before she was sexually assaulted.

The third alleged assault took place on Saturday 5 October at around 2.15pm. A 32-year-old woman was using her mobile phone while walking through Manchester Science Park on Lloyd Street North. She was approached by two boys and sexually assaulted by one of them.

She pushed the boy away but he approached her again and sexually assaulted her for a second time before running off.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin from Greater Manchester police said: "I am extremely grateful to the public for all the calls we received this weekend after putting an appeal out for information in connection with these incidents.

"Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault or any other kind of sexual crime, can call Greater Manchester police on 101 or refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515."