Teenager attacked on way home from club

3:25pm Sunday 13th July 2008

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By Matt Westcott »

A TEENAGER was subjected to a serious sex attack outside a nightclub, police have revealed.

The 18-year-old woman was assaulted close to the Cactus Jacks club in Commercial Street, Darlington, County Durham, in the early hours of Saturday morning as she made her way home following a night out with friends.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said the victim has been left 'deeply traumatised' by the assault and an appeal has been made for witnesses to come forward.

The teenager left the Escapade nightclub in Gladstone Street at about 12.35am, where she had been enjoying an evening with pals, before making her way across the Kendrew Street car park, through an underpass and into the Commercial Street car park.

She was attacked at the side of the club, also in Commercial Street.

It is understood she made contact with a friend, who met up with her in Darlington centre and then raised the alarm by telling officers in the street.

The whole area was sealed off by police, who brought in a crime scenes investigation team to carry out a detailed search of the area, and officers are now studying CCTV footage.

Last night, police released a description of her assailant, who is said to be a white male, around 5ft to 5ft 4ins tall, with a Southern accent.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Nail, the officer leading the inquiry, said police were hoping to carry out a full interview with the victim. So far, they have only been able to conduct a brief interview in the early hours of yesterday morning.

He said: "We are currently studying close circuit television footage in the area.

"Hopefully that, along with the thorough forensic examination of the scene, will provide us with important evidence."

Police want witnesses to come forward, and ask members of the public who were in the area between midnight and 1am to get in touch.

A video interview with police talking about the incident will appear tomorrow