15 Year Old Raped In Liverpool

MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an appeal for information following the rape of a 15 year old girl in North Liverpool on Friday night (15 May 2009).

The girl was walking home across a disused railway bridge on Broadway towards the New Broadway pub in New Hall Lane, having said goodbye to her friends, when she was attacked.

A group of six youths, one on a red mini-motorbike, approached her and two of them grabbed hold of her before pushing her down an embankment into bushes underneath the bridge.

The victim was then raped by four of the youths while two others stayed with the red motorbike at the side of the embankment.

Following the attack all six youths left the scene in an unknown direction. One of them also stole the victim's Samsung touch-screen mobile, which is distinctive because it has gems on the back of it arranged in a heart shape.

The girl was left extremely shaken and traumatised by her ordeal and reported the attacks to the police from a public phone box shortly after 11pm.

Detectives believe the attack happened for a considerable length of time between 8.15pm and 11pm and are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about any of the offenders to contact them.

They are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw a group of teenaged boys, one on a red mini-motorbike, in the area on Friday evening, or has seen anyone in possession of a mobile phone matching the above description since the incident.

The first offender is described as white, aged 15 to 16 years, around 5ft 8ins tall, of broad build with a Liverpool accent. He was wearing a black three-quarter-length 'Location' branded jacket which was fastened up, black and blue tracksuit bottoms and Nike trainers. He wore a scarf over his face, which was black with white spots, and had dark eyes and thick eyebrows.

The second offender, who had earlier been sat on the red mini motorbike, was white, aged about 17, of skinny build and was wearing baggy black tracksuit bottoms, black, red and white Reebok trainers and a black jacket. He had dark eyes and spoke
with a Liverpool accent.

The third offender was around 5ft 5ins tall, of skinny build and was wearing a black 'Location' jacket whose hood had built-in googles which covered his face completely, and black tracksuit bottoms.

The fourth offender, who stole the girl's phone after she had been raped by all four, was white, around 5ft 5ins, of skinny build, with green or blue eyes and light brown eyebrows. He was wearing a black jacket and Nike tracksuit bottoms, which were unzipped at the ankles.

One of the two youths who stayed with the red mini-motorbike was wearing a distinctive woolen Berghaus hat, which was tied underneath his chin.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Keelan of Lower Lane CID, said:- "This was an appalling assault on a young girl, who has been left extremely traumatised by her ordeal. We are determined to bring those responsible to justice and firmly believe someone will know who these youths are. I am particularly interested in talking to anyone who saw a group of teenage lads riding around on a red mini-motorbike in the Broadway area on Friday night or who recognises the descriptions of the offenders. I would like to reassure local residents that this kind of assault remains rare, and that we are determined to trace those responsible as soon as possible. However I would remind women and teenagers to always take care when they go out at night and avoid walking through isolated or unlit areas and ensure you always walk home in pairs or a group and not go unaccompanied."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, saw anything suspicious or recognises the descriptions of the offenders is urged to contact Lower Lane CID on:- 0151 777 4564 or you can all Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

ROBBERY - MCCOLL'S, WARRINGTON ROAD, RAINHILL

MERSEYSIDE Police have now released CCTV images of three men they would like to talk to in connection with a robbery at McColl's off-licence in Warrington Road, Rainhill, on Wednesday, 13 May 2009.

At around 10.15pm three men entered McColl's off-licene in Warrington Road, one of them armed with a lump hammer. They threatened members of staff and punched two of them in the face before leaving with a quantity of cash.

One of the offenders is described as dark skinned. They were aged between 18 and 30 years, were of medium height and of slim build. They had their faces covered and were wearing dark clothing and gloves.

They left the scene in a dark coloured vehicle with its lights switched off.

Anyone who recognises the men or who saw the vehicle in the area at the time is asked to call police on:- 0151 777 1567 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

GEMMA HAMMOND - FOUND SAFE AND WELL

MERSEYSIDE Police have informed us that the 15 year old girl who has been missing since Saturday, 9 May 2009, has been found safe and well in Morecambe following media appeals. Gemma Hammond, who divides her time between Southport and Lancashire was found in Morecambe last night after a member of the community reported a sighting of her.