Crime & Safety

Stratham Man Arrested On Sexual Assault Charge In Portsmouth

James McKenzie was accused by police of forcibly fondling an employee who was under 18 at an establishment on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth.

James McKenzie was arrested on March 23 on two charges after being accused by police of assaulting a teenager.
James McKenzie was arrested on March 23 on two charges after being accused by police of assaulting a teenager. (Portsmouth Police Department)

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A Seacoast man is facing both sexual assault and simple assault charges after an incident in Portsmouth, according to police.

An employee at a Lafayette Road business reported to police on March 19 she was assaulted while working with a bartender. The complainant was under 18, according to police. A detective investigated the incident which led to a warrant for sexual assault and simple assault accusations against James McKenzie, 55, of Thorn Hill Road in Stratham.

McKenzie turned himself in to police on March 23 on sexual assault-forcibly fondling and simple assault charges. He was released on personal recognizance. McKenzie is due in Portsmouth District Court on April 11 for arraignment.

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No other information was available about the case.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Det. Matt Fredrickson at 603-610-7667.

Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Anonymous tips can also be made through Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling 603-431-1199, online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com, and through the new “P3” phone app available as a free download for Apple and Android phones. Rewards of up to $1,000 may be paid for help solving cases if the information leads to an arrest or indictment of a suspect(s).

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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