SalfordOnline

By Tom Rodgers

Detectives in Salford have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses who may have been in Little Hulton when a teenage girl was beaten to the ground and raped.

The 15-year-old was walking from Manchester Road East towards her boyfriend's house at around 10pm on Sunday 11 January.

It was cold, dark and raining as she turned into Hilton Street, when a man in his 40s approached her from behind and punched her up to seven times in the face before carrying her into a small car park on Wynne Street where he raped her.

It's thought she may have lost consciousness such was the severity of the attack.

After the appalling assault the girl managed to get to her boyfriend's house where the family raised the alarm.

Speaking at a police press conference DI Alan Clitherow said the victim was recovering well but was severely traumatised by the attack, and praised her for giving such a good description of the man who raped her.

"What we don't know is where this offender was in relation to the victim shortly before the offence, whether he was already on Wynne Street or whether he's followed her there.

"We're asking anyone who was in the area at the time to get in touch, even if they don't think they've seen anything significant."

Police urged parents and children in the area to stick to well-lit main streets and not to use shortcuts.

The offender is described as being white, in his 40s, about 5ft 6in tall, of a big build and with a large belly. He was wearing a black woolly hat, a blue bubble coat, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

Police are looking to put together an e-fit of the attacker this week as the investigation continues.