A MAN has been charged with raping another man in Bolton town centre at the weekend.

Police say that the alleged incident occurred behind the Three Crowns pub on Deansgate in the early hours of Sunday morning. Shortly before 4.20am a man approached an officer on patrol saying that he had been raped.

A man in his 20s was then arrested and taken into police custody in connection with the crime. Said Abshire Omar, 24 of Shepley Avenue, Bolton has now been charged with four counts of rape of a man aged 16 or over and common assault.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Shortly before 4.20am on Sunday 23 January, an officer on patrol was approached by a man who reported he had been raped behind a pub on Deansgate, Bolton.

They added: "Extensive CCTV and forensic enquiries are ongoing but police aren’t looking for anyone further at this time.

"The victim suffered minor physical injuries and is being offered specialist support."

An area behind Deansgate was taped off in the early hours of Sunday morning, with officers still on the scene investigating until later in the day.