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9:20am Friday 3rd October 2008
SHE was subjected to a harrowing ordeal by a man who preyed on her vulnerability.
The 19-year-old student had been enjoying a night out with friends in Southampton and was making her way home when she was approached by two men.
Despite her attempts to escape, the pair refused to be shaken off and followed her into an alleyway where one of them raped her.
A year on from the horrific assault she is still receiving counselling every day.
Today detectives have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to. The pair are seen in the St Mary’s area near where the assault happened and again in the alleyway moments after the victim was raped in the early hours of October 4.
Investigating officer Det Sgt Steve Maldon said: “We are calling on the public to help us identify these men who we believe can help with the investigation. This was an horrific attack on a vulnerable lone female which understandably she is still suffering the effects of.”
The CCTV images have been released after a number of lines of inquiry were exhausted by the team who now believe the public could hold the key to identifying the attacker.
Det Insp Dave Dilly said: “We hope people may remember being out in the city at this time last year and come forward with information. We are still committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.”
Both men were black, aged between 20 and 25 and spoke with African accents. One was described as stocky and about 6ft with a scruffy goatee beard. He was wearing a light grey hooded tracksuit top with a dark logo on the chest and a black buckled belt over dark trousers, possibly jeans.
The second man was of skinny build and approximately 5ft 8in. He wore a distinctive bright yellow zip-up jacket, blue jeans and white trainers.
Anyone with information about the incident or who recognises the men can contact the team at Hulse Road quoting Operation Orchard on 0845 045 4545.
itsmehere, hythe says...
11:43am Fri 3 Oct 08
Denzil, Chilworth says...
2:26pm Fri 3 Oct 08
Finlay, Des Moines Iowa says...
2:37pm Fri 3 Oct 08
rmb2g08, Southampton says...
2:51pm Fri 3 Oct 08
Dr Alimantado, Babylon says...
3:54pm Fri 3 Oct 08
Finlay wrote:Like you suggest, they most probably have not entered legally...I was watching one of those 'motorway cops' programmes recently and something very interesting was revealed...When they come across someone illegally in the country or who is not in the system, the cops are advised by Immigration to give them a slip which politely requests the illegals to report to some immigration centre in London! That is it! No obligation, no follow up, no marching them down there.
Hmmm "Both men were black, aged between 20 and 25 and spoke with African accents. " Do you think they may have been from Africa then? Immigration Control will have their details then a you have to submit you intended address when entering a country so Details = Males Ages = 20 - 30 Residence location = South Coast That should do it now look at the pictures and biometrics and you have them ..... That is of course if they entered legally.
sadtobehere, Southampton says...
5:36pm Fri 3 Oct 08
JB Soton, Gosport says...
6:13pm Fri 3 Oct 08
rmb2g08 wrote:I totally agree with you.
She walked though St Mary's on her own at about 3 in the morning.
While I have a lot of sympathy for her, being a rape victim myself, surely that was really stupid.
Also, it says that they followed her into the alley, so it's not like they forced her into the alley. While it's still an incredibly traumatic experience and from my past I can tell you that it does destroy your life, I feel that she could have prevented it by being more sensible.
123taz, southampton says...
1:01pm Sat 4 Oct 08
nosy parker, soton says...
6:31pm Sat 4 Oct 08
kchallice, Blandford Forum says...
8:41pm Thu 30 Oct 08
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rich the stitch, says...
10:48am Fri 3 Oct 08