Appeal Following Rape In 2011

Detectives have launched a rape investigation at Rayleigh after a teenage girl came forward to report being assaulted by five men nearly three years ago.

The incident happened on February 24, 2011 but the girl was too frightened to report it until she told her mother earlier this month.

Specialist officers from the Essex Police Sexual Offences Investigation Team have interviewed the girl and prepared an Efit image of the main perpetrator.

The incident happened at about 9.30pm when the girl was walking home along an alleyway between Bardfield Way and Langham Drive.

She was assaulted by five men, aged between 25 and 35, and dragged to a nearby field when the assault continued.

Investigating officer, Dc Danny Cooper, said: “This was a terrifying assault by five men on a girl who was aged 13 at the time. She was traumatised and remained scared of the men until she found the courage to tell her mother what had happened.

“We want to hear from anyone in the area of the Birds Estate who has any information about this incident or from anyone who can identify the man in the Efit who was the main perpetrator.

“He is described as being white, between 5ft 8 to 9in tall, with thick dark-coloured eyebrows and pronounced jawline and cheek bones. At the time he had spikey gelled hair.”

Anyone with information should contact Dc Cooper at Rayleigh SOIT office on 101 or email him at [email protected]