A MAN charged with attempting to rape a woman in a Prestwich subway will appear in court today. 

Philip James Williams, aged 45 and from Bury, has been charged with the attempted rape of a 20-year-old woman last Sunday (November 3). 

He has also been charged with sexual assault by penetration, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offencer and robbery and will appear at Bury Magistrates' Court today (November 9). 

The 20-year-old woman was walking under the subway on Bury New Road shortly after 6pm last Sunday when she was approached by a man.

He grabbed her and sexually assaulted her before being disturbed by a passer-by and running off in the direction of the footbridge over the motorway.

The man also stole the woman's large black leather handbag.