Sex assault on girl at bus stop

From the archive, first published Tuesday 15th Nov 2005.

POLICE hunting a man responsible for a sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl fear he may strike again unless he is caught.

The attacker carried out an assault on Friday, November 4, and since then officers have been quizzing witnesses and studying CCTV images to try and identify the culprit.

They have received a number of leads and this is a picture of the man they are desperate to trace.

The girl was assaulted at bus stop S on Fleming Way between 6pm and 7pm.

The stop is the third one along from Milford Street on the side of the road that heads towards Corporation Street.

The attacker approached his victim from bushes between the bus stop and the path that leads down to the underpass under Fleming Way.

He barged in to the teenager before sexually assaulting her and then fleeing in the direction of Milford Street.

Staff at nearby companies, such as the Bank of New York, based at Signal Point, have been warned to take extra care when using public transport in the area.

Town centre community beat officer, PC Andy Alexander, said: "With this sort of thing we don't know if it's the first time he has offended and if it's not he may do it again and that's our big concern.

"The victim is a young girl, she is only 15, and she is obviously very upset.

"She has no physical injuries but it is purely the shock of it happening in what was almost broad daylight.

"The description of the attacker is distinctive.

"The male seems to have a split personality, one minute he would apologise for his behaviour and the next minute he would be verbally abusive and aggressive."

Police say there were a number of witnesses in the area at the time and they have urged anyone with information to come forward.

The suspect is described as a white man, about 5ft 6in tall and in his 20s.

He is overweight with a fat stomach, stubbly face, short brown hair and discoloured teeth.

He was wearing a red and black jacket, dirty tight fit dark blue jeans, a khaki green t-shirt, a hoody, a black or dark blue cap, black boots that looked too big and was carrying a red and black rucksack.

The man possibly has a speech impediment.

Anyone with information should contact PC Emma Davies at Swindon police on 01793 528111 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Gareth Bethell

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