Moss Bay appalled by sex attack on lone teenager
Last updated 13:15, Tuesday, 23 September 2008
SHOCKWAVES have been sent through Workington’s Moss Bay estate following the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.
Police stress that although it was an isolated incident they are now advising people to go out in groups rather than alone.
Posters and 1,000 fliers are being distributed across Workington to help detectives track down a man believed to be responsible for the attack on Mossbay Road, opposite the Casson Road turning, last Thursday.
Community leaders have been appalled by the incident.
David McGarry, chairman of the residents’ group, said: “It is shocking that something like this has happened right on our doorsteps.
“You don’t expect it and I hope the person who did this is caught quickly before he can strike again.
“There has not been an incident like this in the seven years I’ve been in the area.”
Ward councillor Barbara Cannon said: “This vile attack has sent shockwaves through the community in Moss Bay.
“The area on Mossbay Road is well lit and ought to have been safe for anyone.
“It is imperative that the person that did this awful crime is caught as quickly as possible and until he is then we all have to stay vigilant.
“It will have been a traumatic experience for the young girl but the police are working hard to catch the man and I would urge anyone that knows anything to help them with their enquiry.
“Somebody must know this man. There is a good description of him out there and he needs to be caught.”
Pensioner Mary Eccles, of Casson Road, said: “It is very unnerving knowing that something like that happened so close.
“The police have been great and let everyone know what the situation is. Hopefully they will catch him soon.”
The girl walked from Firth View Walk into Wastwater Avenue, turning into Roe Terrace into Salisbury Street, before entering Mossbay Road.
Police believe the man started a conversation with the girl on Mossbay Road before dragging her behind bushes at the entrance of Workington Rugby Union Club’s - known as the Zebras - Ellis Ground at 10.30pm on Thursday.
The girl called into the Golden Dragon at about 10pm to buy a can of coke and police are anxious to trace an elderly man who may have seen or spoken to the girl.
Police were due to return to Moss Bay last night to talk to people at the Zebras club and pubs in the area.
Detective Superintendent Cath Thundercloud, leading the investigation, said: “These kind of attacks are very rare and we have the whole team involved to track down the man who did this.
“We are asking people to be aware of what has happened and take extra care. If you are going out then go with a group for safety.
“We still have not spoken to the elderly man who was in the Golden Dragon takeaway, which we would still like to as well as anyone who was in the area at the time.”
The suspect is described as about 22 years old, six feet tall and stocky.
He is believed to have short dark hair, blue eyes and a partly shaved eyebrow.
He is also believed to have a blue spot tattoo under the knuckle of the little finger on his right hand and may also have significant bruising or injury to the base of his thumb on his right hand.
He was wearing a dark coloured Nike hooded top, dark coloured Adidas-style training pants with vertical white stripes on the outside of the leg ending at the knee.
He also had black trainers with white laces, sporting a silver metal England badge on the bottom lace of the trainers.
He was last seen running in the direction of the Zebras’ club.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria police on 0845 3300247 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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