Renewed appeal over sexual assault

Renewed appeal over sexual assault

20 May 2015

THE family of a young woman who was sexually assaulted in Downpatrick have appealed for help in finding a man police want to question in relation to the incident.

Police last week released the image of the man sought following the report of a serious sexual assault in the Scotch Street area of Downpatrick on Saturday, May 9.

They have since reissued their appeal for information on the man’s whereabouts.

Police, who sealed off the area for several hours while a forensic examination was carried out, said they wanted to identify and locate the man as he may have vital information that could hep with enquiries.

A relative of the young woman assaulted said the aftermath of the attack had been “horrendous” for the whole family.

“This is an absolutely dreadful thing to come to anybody’s door,” he said.

“We are in bits about this. This situation is totally beyond our control. If the perpetrator is caught it will make a big difference to us.”

The man said the local community had been hugely supportive throughout the past week with many calling to offer sympathy.

“I could not even start to say how good people have been,” he said. “People have gone out of their way to speak to us, which means a lot.”