A TEENAGE girl has been left traumatised after being raped in an alleyway.

The incident happened as she was walking home after spending an evening with friends, at about 8.45pm, on Tuesday, March 4.

She was walking in an alleyway between Princess Road and Grant's Crescent, in Dawdon, east Durham, when she was grabbed from behind by a man in his 30s. He then raped her.

The girl was so shaken by the assault that she only told her family about it this week, more than a fortnight after the attack.

An incident room has been set up at Peterlee police station.

The attacker had short black hair and a goatee beard, and was wearing a waist-length black leather jacket and light-blue jeans.

His breath smelt of alcohol.

The victim told police that about two weeks before the attack, she was in Princess Road and thought she was being followed by a man wearing a similar black leather jacket and light blue jeans, and a black hat.

On that occasion, she ran off, and police are keeping an open mind as to whether it was the same man.

Detective Inspector Sue Knaggs, who is leading the investigation, said: "The victim is still traumatised by what happened. She is part of a close-knit family, which is giving her every support. This was obviously a terrible ordeal for her, and I am hoping people might be able to think back to that night and provide us with information."

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened on March 4, the day before the Middlesbrough versus Newcastle derby, is asked to call the incident room on 0191-586 2621 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.