Suspect Held In Derry Rapist Hunt

An 18 year-old has been arrested today as part of the PSNI's hunt for a rapist who attacked a young American woman outside a Derry bar at the weekend.

Detectives have been examining CCTV footage from the area to assist them in finding the man who carried out the assault which happened in a car park next to the Bogside Inn on Saturday night.

The Londonderry police officers also appealed to anyone who might know the identity of the man who sexually assaulted the Dublin-based American student at knifepoint to come forward.

The CID detectives want to catch the sexual predator amid fears he may strike again.

It is understood the girl, in her late teens, was studying in the Irish capital, but had arrived in Derry for a visit.

She was socialising with a group of fellow Americans at the Westland Street bar, and went outside at around 10.30pm for a cigarette.

While there she was approached by a man and forced at knifepoint to go the car park behind the bar where she was raped.

Police said she sustained minor injuries but was left severely traumatised by her ordeal – and has now returned to the USA.

Foyle Superintendent Chris Yates gave a detailed description of the teenager's attacker.

Mr Yates said the man was aged between 18 and 20, around 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall, slim with short, dark hair, possibly brown.

At the time of the attack, he was wearing a white T-shirt with a green stripe or logo.

He added: "The bottom line is that the information is out there and it is very, very important anyone with information contacts us as soon as possible.

"They can do this through a third party, a community rep or a local councillor. We don't care how we get the information. What we need is a name. "

He added: "The reality is the Bogside is a difficult place for us to work in but we were down there all day and not a stone was thrown or a bad word said and there has been a lot of co-operation from the local community."

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "This was a wicked and despicable attack and my thoughts are with the young girl at this traumatic time.

"I know that everyone in Derry will hope that the person responsible for this violent attack can be caught swiftly and brought before the courts."

Anyone socialising in the general area of Westland Street on Saturday night, or who saw a man leading a girl from the premises, is asked to contact detectives on 0845 6008000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

(BMcC)