Police release new information on Shrewsbury sex assault suspect
Police have released new information about the youth they are seeking in connection with a sex assault on a 10-year-old girl in Shrewsbury.
They say the youth was carrying a fishing rod and what appears to be a fishing tackle box as he followed the little girl along St Michael’s Street towards the fire station moments before he lured her to a nearby isolated location.
The incident happened on Friday afternoon just yards from where traffic was passing on the busy road in and out of the town centre.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, the senior investigating officer, appealed for people to come forward in helping to identify the youth.
“There were dozens of motorists passing by at the time and both the victim and the offender must have been seen, either together or separately. It is absolutely vital potential witnesses contact Shrewsbury CID on 101 as a matter of urgency.
“This was a serious sexual offence against a 10-year-old girl who was followed for some distance by the offender before he approached her and persuaded her to go with him. The critical time is between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Friday.
“It goes without saying that this individual must be traced quickly and the public can help us.”
DCI Jamieson said the suspect was wearing a distinctive hooped top and carrying a fishing rod and what seemed like a fishing tackle box. He is also thought to live locally, appearing to have a good knowledge of the area.
He is white, about 5ft 7ins to 5ft 10ins tall and probably aged from around 13 to late teens – possibly of secondary school age. He has black hair and was wearing a light and dark hooped pattern jumper or top, with light blue trousers or jeans and white shoes or trainers.
The little girl was also quite conspicuous, carrying a large rucksack on her back before the assault.
It’s thought he initially followed her along New Park Road from near its junction with Beacalls Lane and then turned right onto St Michael’s Street, walking on the left hand pavement away from town towards the fire station.
“Almost certainly they will have crossed St Michael’s Street to get onto the opposite pavement and at some point he has approached the girl, saying he had lost something and asking for help in finding it.
The girl was led to some disused land near the Arc car wash centre and taken behind a container where she was subjected to the assault.
“I am asking people who were in the St Michael’s Street area on Friday afternoon to cast their minds back and to think if they possibly saw this little girl and a youth carrying a fishing rod and tackle box, either together or separately.
“Do call us on 101 if you have any information at all, however insignificant it may seem. We are confident of finding this offender but we need people to come forward with details of possible sightings or any other information which might help identify him.”
Information about the suspect’s identity can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111, or via the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
