A SUSPECTED rapist has been arrested by armed police in Paddington.

Cheshire Police were called to an incident in Howley at around 11am on Saturday, November 17.

Officers attended the scene, but a man had fled before they arrived.

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Armed police then conducted a search of the Paddington area, with a 38-year-old male arrested on Terence Avenue at around 1.45pm.

Stephen Croughton, of Wilkinson Avenue in Paddington, has since been charged with rape and assault in connection with the incident.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Chester Magistrates Court today, Monday.

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Eyewitnesses reported at least a dozen armed officers in the area, as well as two police dogs being deployed.