Police charged a 33-year-old asylum seeker with the r3pe of a woman in Skegness, Lincolnshire, 40 days after arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel in a dinghy.

The victim says she was dragged into bushes by a stranger and attacked, The Sun reports.

At a magistrates court hearing today, the defendant was denied bail and is awaiting his first crown court appearance.

Describing the claims as ‘hugely shocking’, Skegness MP Matt Warman said it ‘understandably raised a number of significant concerns’.

However, he added: ‘I would ask that people resist the understandable desire to speculate on this case.’

Lincs Police said its investigation remains ongoing and specialist officers are working with the victim.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses or anyone who was in the Tower Gardens area of Skegness between 10pm and 11pm on Friday, June 9, who may have information that will assist in its inquiries to get in touch.