Man charged with rape and kidnap after teenager dragged out of Pizza Hut in Epsom

A suspect arrested following a teenager being dragged from a Pizza Hut, stabbed and raped in Epson on Friday, has been charged with nine offences following the assault. Surrey Police said the charges include two counts of rape and two counts of wounding with intent.

32-year-old Costica Voedes of High Street, Epsom, was arrested following the attack on Friday night. Officers said on Friday that a man walked into the Pizza Hut on Waterloo Road where he attacked a member of staff who was attempting to protect a 17-year-old girl.

The staff member was injured before the man pulled the girl outside and disappeared. Police arrived and started searching the street for the girl - later arresting a man in a recreation ground nearby and then find the girl in Pound Lane with a stab wound to her abdomen.

She was described as being in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

Police are asking any witnesses to come forward. As it was a Friday night on a busy street in Epsom, they think a number of people may have seen the situation unfold.

"This was clearly a very serious incident where a young woman has been subjected to a horrific ordeal and we are in the process of carrying out a thorough and detailed investigation to establish what happened." said Detective Inspector Nick Chambers, "this appears to have been a violent and pre-planned attack which took place in a very public location in the centre of Epsom." He also said that the Pizza Hut staff member who was injured but not seriously.

Voedes has now been remanded in custody and will appear at South East Surrey Magistrates Court on Monday 20 Junes. Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45160051625, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.