Derry Sex Assault Appeal

An appeal for information has been gone out after a young woman was indecently assaulted close to a community centre in the Galliagh area of Londonderry this week.

The victim, who was pushing a pram at the time, is though to be in her early 20s, and was assaulted by a man as she walked near the St. Joseph's community centre in Lenamore at around 10.20am.

Colr. Gallagher, who chairs the Derry District Policing Partnership, has appealed for anyone with information on the attack to come forward: "I would appeal to anyone out there who witnessed something, no matter how small they think it is, to come forward and give that information to the police so that this man can be taken off our streets before he strikes again.

"We had a similar indecent assault in the area a number of weeks ago and because of information from the local community the police were able to make an arrest so hopefully people will also come forward with information on this occasion," he said.

Her attacker was described as being in his mid 20s, overweight and wearing a brown hoodie with a check design and black tracksuit trousers with a white stripe.

Two workmen who were passing in a van at the time, witnessed the attack and thought the young woman was being mugged.

They stopped to help, at which point the attacker ran off.

SDLP councillor for the area Shaun Gallagher said the young woman was left traumatised by the attack.

"This is an awful experience for the young woman who was pushing a pram carrying a toddler at the time. She has been left badly shaken and traumatised by what has happened.

"Luckily, two men were driving past at the time and were able to scare the attacker off and I would like to applaud them for their actions."

(BMcC)