Police probe weekend sex attack in Downpatrick

Police probe weekend sex attack in Downpatrick

24 September 2014

A TWENTY year-old man has been arrested following the report of a serious sexual assault in Downpatrick in the early hours of Sunday.

The assault, involving a female teenager, was reported in the Killough Road area at around 4am, leading to the arrest of the man, who was later released on bail pending further enquiries.

The alleged assault happened on the same night a large crowd of youths had gathered in Dunleath Park in the town.

Although police have discounted any link between the two incidents at this time, they have confirmed that enquiries are continuing and have made an appeal for anyone with information on the sexual assault to get in contact.

Police have confirmed they attended Dunleath Park on Saturday night following complaints from irate residents, who were disturbed by singing and loud noise from the 80-strong crowd.

Youths threw bottles and stones at police when they arrived, prompting an appeal, via the PSNI’s Down facebook page, for parents to keep a better eye on their children.

Through the facebook page, constable Phil Quinn, from the PSNI’s neighbourhood policing team, urged young people to be sensible and not to be drinking in public places, even if they are over-18.

He also warned of an increase in police patrols in the area over the coming weeks.

“This must be the last time this happens,” he said.

“We don’t want to be responding as public order units.

“Please for the young people, be sensible, even if you are over 18 don’t be drinking to excess in a public park with no lighting and open water sources.

“The last thing we need is to be recovering victims of misadventure the next morning because no one has noticed you missing.

“For the parents out there, we understand you cannot put a lead on your child or track them 24/7 but please have a talk with them and explain the dangers out there.

“As a result, you will notice an increase of police attention to the park and the streets and entrances that feed into it over the coming weeks.”