Man charged after 2 McMaster students sexually assaulted on trail near campus: police

A 38-year-old man has been arrested, Hamilton police say, after two sexual assaults on Chegwin Trail near McMaster University.

Police say a man approached two women he didn't know on the trail on Saturday at roughly 7:30 p.m.

The trail is near the Commons Building, but isn't on campus property and police spokesperson Jackie Penman told CBC Hamilton the women are both students at the university.

The man reportedly spoke to the students briefly before police say he sexually assaulted both of them.

"The victims managed to fight the suspect off and contacted police," according to the media release.

Police say its officers, along with help from McMaster Security Services and community members, found the man and arrested him.

He faces two counts of sexual assault. Penman said he's known to police and has no ties to McMaster.

Van Koughnett said there are no new safety measures being put in place because of the incident, but said there are numerous measures already in place.

Some of those include a team that helps people walk home from class and the school hiring special constables on busier weekends to help patrol the off-campus area around the school.

Van Koughnett also said it's important for people to be aware of their surroundings.