Police Investigate Sex Attack On Teenager

Detectives in Poole are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a sexual assault in the Rossmore area of the town.

The incident, in which a man grabbed hold of a 15-year-old girl and dragged her to the ground, happened on Bourne Valley Nature Reserve near Monkton Crescent, at around 5.30pm on Friday, 29 October 2010.

The victim, from Poole, was not injured.

Detective Inspector Steve Thorpe, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said:

“The victim had recently left the nearby Rossmore Leisure Centre and was walking across the recreation grounds towards an alleyway that leads to Monkton Crescent.

“She was suddenly approached by a man who pushed her to the ground.

“It appears that the offender was startled when the victim’s mobile phone began to ring – he then ran away across the recreation grounds toward Turbary Road.”

The offender is white, around five feet nine inches tall and of a large build.

He was wearing a black zip-up hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms. He had a dark-coloured scarf covering his face.

DI Thorpe continued:

“This is a very serious incident and the victim has been left extremely distressed.

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this attack, and anyone who may have seen a man of this description around the recreation grounds on Friday evening, to contact me urgently.

“Any information, no matter how insignificant you might consider it to be, may help me with this investigation.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should contact Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222 222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.