A COURTING couple could help detectives catch a rapist who attacked a Southampton teenager after befriending her at a bus stop.

Police were today trying to trace the pair, who were seen by the 16-year-old victim immediately after the horrendous attack in a bin area behind flats in Maddison Street in the city centre.

Detectives said the young couple had been walking through Southampton's Shopmobility car park at the junction of Bargate Street and Castle Way around 10pm on Friday.

The woman had been wearing a distinctive sparkly dress, which was either red or pink.

Det Sgt Scott Chilton, of Southampton Central CID, said: "We are confident this couple would have seen the young victim, as she walked right past them immediately after being attacked.

"We believe they could have vital information to help our inquiry and would urge them to come forward, along with anyone else who was in the area at the time."

The victim, who lives with her family in the Waterside area, noticed the couple as she walked from the scene of the rape back towards the High Street area.

The teenager had been socialising with friends in Brannigan's bar before leaving around 9.45pm.

She walked up High Street and waited at a bus stop outside TK Maxx, where the man started talking to her.

He persuaded her to join him for a walk "to keep warm" but he pounced behind flats near the old city wall.

The rapist was white, in his mid-30s, 6ft, stocky, clean- shaven, with short, dark hair and dark clothing.

Detectives also need to hear from anyone who noticed the victim, who wore spectacles, a black skirt, grey coat and knee-high black boots.

Call Southampton Central CID on 0845 045 4545.