20/05/2009

Police Hunt After Teen Is Gang Raped

A police investigation is underway after a 15-year-old girl has been gang raped after walking home through Liverpool.

The teenager had been walking across a disused railway bridge towards the New Broadway pub in New Hall Lane, Norris Green, on Friday night when the attack took place.

A group of six youths, one on a red mini-motorbike, approached her and she was grabbed by two of them, before being pushed down an embankment into bushes underneath the bridge and raped.

Merseyside Police said the girl was left badly shaken and traumatised by the ordeal, which lasted almost three hours, and reported the attacks to the police from a public phone box shortly after 11pm.

She was raped by four of the boys, all white aged between 15 and 17, while the other two stayed next to the mini-motorbike at the side of the embankment.

Her mobile phone was also stolen by one of the boys.

Det Ch Insp Tim Keelan said: "We are determined to bring those responsible to justice and firmly believe someone will know who these youths are.

"I would like to reassure local residents that this kind of assault remains rare, and that we are determined to trace those responsible as soon as possible.

"However I would remind women and teenagers to always take care when they go out at night and avoid walking through isolated or unlit areas and ensure you always walk home in pairs or a group and not go unaccompanied."

Anyone with information is asked to call Lower Lane CID on 0151 777 4564.

(JM/BMcC)

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