Police hunt Middleton rapist

Police are appealing to anyone that may know the whereabouts of a man that pulled a 14-year-old girl into a car and raped her in Middleton late last year.

At 6pm on Sunday 28 December 2008, the victim was walking on Hilton Fold Lane when a man driving a blue car stopped next to her.

He got out, opened the back door and dragged the girl into the back seat of the car. Both doors were locked from inside so that the victim could not escape. The man then drove around for several minutes and the victim remembers being driven past The Nowster pub on Kenyon Lane where there was a man standing at the back of the pub who seemed to recognise and acknowledge the offender.

The offender then drove onto a dirt track behind Kenyon Lane, known as Rose Street. He stopped the car, got into the back seat and raped the girl.

Following the attack, the girl managed to get out of the car and run for safety.

Her attacker is described as black, in his mid to early 20s, 5ft 6in tall of medium build and had stubble on his face. He had a shaved head and was wearing a long sleeved shirt and dark trousers.

The man who was seen in the car park is described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, with short brown hair.

Officers are keen to speak to this man who may have vital information about the person responsible.

Detective Constable Heidi Edge said: "The victim is traumatised by this terrible ordeal.

"The incident happened in the early evening, in the middle of the festive season so there may have been people in the area who could have seen something that might help us."

Police are warning residents to be vigilant after the attack.

DC Edge said: "While incidents of this nature are rare we would advise people living in the area to be vigilant about their personal safety."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4591 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.