Woman 'raped by homeless man' in London park as police charge person over sex attack

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:29, 5 May 2026 | Updated: 12:29, 5 May 2026 A woman was allegedly raped by a homeless man in a London park, as police charge a man with sex offences over the incident.  Officers were called at around 5pm on Saturday and alerted to the attack on the woman, which is said to have taken place on Friday evening in Byron Park, north London. Anjan Ganesalingham, 40, of no fixed address, was arrested in Harrow before being charged with two counts of rape on Monday. He was remanded in custody and appeared at Willesden Magistrate's Court yesterday. Ganesalingham will next appear at Harrow Crown Court on June 1.  The Met said that the woman is currently being supported by specialist officers.  Officers were called at around 5pm on Saturday and alerted to the attack on the woman, which is said to have taken place on Friday evening in Byron Park, north London Detective Inspector Mitesh Mulji, of the Met's North West Command Unit, said: 'We are committed to tackling the scourge of sexual violence against women and girls. 'This was an isolated incident, but we are aware of the concern that it will cause in our local community. 'The woman who bravely reported this incident to us is being supported by specialist officers. We are increasing patrols in Byron Park and the surrounding area in response to this incident, and I would urge anyone with concerns to speak to our officers.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.