US teen raped at knifepoint in North

POLICE in the North made a public appeal yesterday for help in tracking down the rapist of an American student.

The teenager had just stepped outside the Bogside Inn in Derry, where she had been socialising with a group of visiting American female students on Saturday night, when she was held up at knifepoint, forced into a nearby car park and raped.

The girl was left heavily traumatised and with injuries to her face and legs. She is now believed to have returned to the United States.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) area commander Chief Inspector Chris Yates said: “This young woman has been left extremely traumatised by this. I am appealing for anybody who has information to contact us.

“Specifically, I want those who were in or near the Bogside Inn between 10.30pm and midnight to co-operate with the police and help us identify, prosecute and convict this man as quickly as possible.”

His call was echoed by Sinn Féin local Assembly member Martina Anderson, who urged those in the republican Bogside to co-operate with the police in catching the attacker.

Ms Anderson said: “The community are alarmed to think that someone, perhaps who may live in this community, had committed that attack.

“It is appalling, it is unacceptable. This community is not going to accept it. Speaking on behalf of the people of this area, I have to say we condemn it outright.

“We want the perpetrator of this crime brought before the courts.”

SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan called for public co-operation in tracking the attacker.

Mr Durkan said: “This was a wicked and despicable attack and my thoughts are with the young girl at this traumatic time. I would appeal to anyone with information about this incident to give this immediately to the PSNI.”