Man, 32, is charged over rape of Stafford student who took her own life
A man has been charged with the rape of a Stafford student who killed herself, it has emerged.
Elgan Varney, aged 32, has been charged with two counts of rape and one of assault by penetration in offences relating to student Hannah Stubbs.
The 22-year-old, who attended Keele University, killed herself at her home in Salt, near Stafford, in August 2015.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Varney had been charged with the two counts.
He appeared before magistrates on April 7 and is due to appear next on May 6 at Stoke Crown Court.
Staffordshire Police confirmed that Newcastle-based Varney was charged after a review by the CPS. Chief Superintendent
Jon Drake said: "After we received theallegation of rape, specially-trained officers conducted an investigation into the incident.
"They did their best to support Hannah while the investigation progressed, but tragically, Hannah took her own life.
"Following a review by the Crown Prosecution Service, Elgan Varney of Wye Road, Newcastle, was charged with rape."
The news of Hannah's death was broken on the website of her former school, St Dominic's Priory in Stone.
Her funeral took place in September last year at St Michael's Church in Stone. The service was led by the pastor from Stafford Elim Pentecostal Church, where Hannah played the drum in the Worship Band.
Her funeral was attended by her parents, Paul and Amanda, her siblings, Jessica, Leah, Talitha and Theo, and a host of other family members.
As well as the family, other mourners included friends and fellow Keele University students.
During the service photographs of Hannah were shown on a screen while music was played by her former church band.
