PSNI hunt for vicious rapist

Police in Coleraine are hunting a man who raped a young woman on waste ground early today.

The victim, who is in her early 20s, suffered a serious sexual assault and is recovering in hospital.

Police said she was set upon while walking across rough ground at Newbridge Road, near the city’s Causeway Hospital at 1am this morning.

Three men were involved in the attack, with one of them raping the woman, who had been returning from a night out in the town. Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Detectives say the rape was carried out by a man thought to be aged about 25, with shaven hair, stubble and a mole on his left cheek.

A PSNI spokesperson added: “He had a gold necklace and a gold sovereign ring, and was wearing a pale blue shirt and dark trousers.”

The mayor of Coleraine, Robert McPherson, said the seriousness of the attack had shocked people in the town.

“I think any attack of this nature puts fear into the community – parents will be frightened for the daughters being out alone,” he said.