Sunderland: Woman, 26, 'abducted and raped by gang of migrants' after drink was spiked

A mother-of-three was allegedly abducted and then drugged and raped by a gang of migrants, say reports on Sunday (25 September). The 26-year-old said she believes her drink was spiked during a night out in Sunderland in September.

After a night out on 3 September, the woman woke up the next day in an unfamiliar house, with cuts and bruises after suffering a sexual assault. Police have arrested and bailed six men in connection with the alleged attack. The men who are from Iraq, Syria and Bahrain are aged between 20-30.

Southern Area Command Chief Inspector, Paul Milner, said: "We know the woman had been in Sunderland City Centre on Saturday night before waking up in a strange address in Peel Street with cuts and bruises.

"She managed to leave the house and get to a family member's home at around 5am on Sunday (4 September) morning. The victim believes her drink may have been spiked.

"This is obviously a very serious incident and something we know the local community will be concerned about and we will have officers on patrol to offer reassurance to anyone who may be concerned and answer any queries they may have."

The incident has sparked six days of violent demonstrations in Sunderland, as far-right supporters including members of the Sunderland Defence League took to the streets to express their outrage at the attack.

The protest turned violent as protestors smashed windows at the terraced house where the woman says she was attacked. There were also clashes with demonstrators participating in a counter protest, led by members of the Asian community.

Two Asian men, unconnected with the alleged rape, were injured and five men, all from Sunderland, were arrested for offences including affray. Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott last night called for calm. The six migrants suspected of sexually assaulting the woman are on bail until 17 October, Mail Online reports.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.