A MERCURY Road man has been charged on suspicion of assaulting a 16-year-old girl in the town centre on Friday afternoon (Feb 10).

Shortly after 4.30pm officers were approached by the teenager who reported that she had been assaulted by an unknown man in London Street.

Ryan Daniel Smith, was arrested and charged on suspicion of one count of common assault and two counts of shoplifting.

The 34-year-old has been bailed to appear in Basingstoke Magistrates' Court later this month.