Man Charged with Attempted Rape Near Rochdale Canal

A man named Stephen David Hastie, aged 32, with no fixed address, has been formally charged with attempted rape following an assault along the Rochdale canal near Bluepits Mill in Castleton. According to reports, the police responded to the incident at approximately 6:20 PM on Monday, January 6, where a woman in her 50s was attacked by Hastie, who was armed with a knife while she was walking her dog. Hastie faces several serious charges including attempted rape, robbery, section 20 assault, and possession of a bladed article in public. He has been placed in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on the same day. The Greater Manchester Police spokesperson confirmed the details, stating: "A man has been charged after a woman was assaulted along the canal in Rochdale. A woman in her 50s was assaulted by a man armed with a knife whilst walking her dog along the canal." Hastie is currently remanded in custody as legal proceedings continue.