Hundreds attend vigil in support of rape victim

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of west Belfast in support of a teenage girl who was raped in the area at the weekend.

The 15-year-old girl, on holiday from England, was raped twice in the Blacks Road area in the early hours of Saturday morning while out walking with a number of friends. The attacker also used the girl's mobile to tell her mother what he had done.

The vigil by local residents took place at the forecourt of a filling station where the teenager was first raped.

Those behind Wednesday night’s show of support said they needed to show “revulsion” at what happened and to lend their support to the victim and her family.

Police have so far issued photofits of the two attackers. However earlier this week claims were made on a BBC Radio Ulster morning phone-in show that police had so far failed to follow up on important information supplied by two members of the public who had contacted detectives.

Chief Supt Ken Henning said he could not explain what had happened.

Anyone with information about the attack are asked to contact police on 028 9065 0222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

(MB/SP)