A FORTY-THREE-year-old man has been charged with grave and criminal assault following an incident near Liberation Square last Thursday.

Kulwant Singh Rajput, of Roussel Street, who was born in Birmingham, was due to appear before the Magistrate this morning. Police are still appealing for a middle-aged couple who were in Liberation Square at the time to come forward as they believe they may have witnessed the alleged assault. Det Insp Chris Beechey said: ‘We know there were people in the area and in particular we would like to speak to a middle-aged couple who were in Liberation Square at around 10 pm. ‘They may not think that they have seen anything relevant. ‘However, it is vitally important that we identify and speak to everyone in the vicinity at the time. ‘We know that the alleged victim alerted a passer-by after the assault, which is thought to have taken place in the alley-way behind the old Harbour Office and next to the toilets in Liberation Square. However, we re-iterate the request for all other witnesses to come forward.’ Witnesses are asked to contact the police on 612612 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.