18-year-old man charged with raping schoolgirl in Enfield

An 18-year-old man was today charged with the rape of an 11-year-old girl who was on her way home from school, police said.

Opemipo Jaji was also charged with attempted rape following the attack on the schoolgirl in Enfield, north London, on Friday.

He will appear at Enfield Magistrates' Court today, Scotland Yard said.

Jaji was arrested in Edmonton on Monday evening and police were yesterday given more time to quiz him.

Another man, 26, who was also held in connection with the attack has been released on bail until late December.

Police appealed for witnesses after the schoolgirl, who was wearing her uniform, was attacked in Jubilee Park, Enfield, on Friday afternoon.

The girl, who police described as petite, returned home at around 8pm and was taken to hospital where she needed surgery.

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw said it was "a horrific and unusual attack of a defenceless schoolgirl".