I know the area where this crime happened. Witan Way is a road at the edge of the town and on one side there's a riverside footpath, lots of tree cover, not the sort of place you would want to walk in the dark.
It's very concerning to think the victim might have seen a "woman" following them and thought nothing of it. Or might have arranged to meet a woman.
TVP also report that the police attended the scene and made the arrest then and there. It all seems very unusual. No doubt more will come out when it goes to trial.