A suspect has been charged after a woman was attacked in an alleyway late at night.

The victim had been walking down a footpath leading between Beaconsfield Road and Beverley Meadow in Canterbury at about 11pm on Sunday, when she was reportedly approached by a man who assaulted her.

A member of the public intervened and the man left the area in the direction of the railway underpass.

A man was arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with the incident.

Today, detectives have confirmed that Mark Roberts, of no fixed address, has been charged with committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A police spokesman says the 47-year-old remains in custody ahead of an appearance at Folkestone Magistrates' Court today.