New York police officers 'charged with raping handcuffed teenager in their van'

Two New York police officers have been charged with allegedly raping a handcuffed teenage girl in their van.

Officers Eddie Martins and Richard Halls are accused of having sex with the 18-year-old after arresting her in south Brooklyn.

Both men have been indicted on first-degree rape charges after a week-long hearing which culminated with a grand jury vote on Friday, The New York Post reported.

According to sources, the narcotics officers will turn themselves in next week for arraignment in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

If convicted they face 25 years in jail.

The alleged incident occurred on September 15 after the victim was arrested for possession of marijuana, which is legal in New York City when used for medicinal purposes.

The two policemen are alleged to have driven the woman to a restaurant chain parking lot in Coney Island where she was forced to perform oral sex on both men and raped by Martins.

Mr Martins and Mr Halls have admitted to colleagues that encounter did occur but remain adamant that the sex was consensual, according to police sources.

The NYPD has suspended both policemen without pay, an NYPD spokesperson told The New York Post.

The victim’s lawyer, Michael David, released a statement urging the NYPD to fire both men. He said: “We would expect the police commissioner to take immediate action in firing these two officers.”

He added: “Additionally, we request that all this shaming and smearing of the victim of this vicious attack be stopped immediately.”

Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl

10 show all Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl

1/10 Brazilian women march in Sao Paulo during a protest following the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl Rex Features

2/10 There have been calls for protests to end to what campaigners call Brazil's 'culture of rape' after the attack Rex Features

3/10 An online campaign has been set up in response to the crime, using the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais, meaning 'rape never again' Rex Features

4/10 The 16-year-old victim was attacked in a poor neighbourhood in the west of the city on 21 May 2016 Rex Features

5/10 Two of the attackers posted pictures and video on Twitter of the assault, which has shocked the country Rex Features

6/10 Brazilian women protest in front of the Candelaria Church in Rio de Janeiro AFP/Getty Images

7/10 Seven men have been charged in connection with the attack AFP/Getty Images

8/10 Women's underwear and photos from Brazilian photographer Marcio Freitas displayed on Copacabana beach during a protest by non-governmental organization Rio de Paz (Rio of Peace) against rape and violence against women REUTERS

9/10 Women's underwear smeared with paint is seen during a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS

10/10 Demonstrators attend a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS

Mr David told BuzzFeed News defence lawyers cited the victim's “provocative selfies” as evidence that she had not been assaulted.

John Arlia and Mark Bederow reportedly wrote that the woman’s behaviour is “unprecedented for a depressed victim of a vicious rape.”

Both lawyers declined to directly comment but Mr Bederow "caution[ed] people not to assume the accuracy of what happened simply upon unchallenged accusations", according to Buzzfeed News.