A 14-YEAR-OLD girl has reported to the police she was sexually assaulted by a stranger as she walked alone along a wooded path.

The incident happened at around 9.30pm on Sunday, February 17, as the teenager made her way along a secluded pathway that runs adjacent to Ormesby Road, between the Cricket Lane and Normanby Hall Park junction, Normanby, Middlesbrough.

Detectives have praised the girl for coming forward following the alleged attack and are following “a number of lines of inquiry”, including house-to-house work and exploring CCTV in the area.

The suspect is described as being a black man in his late 20s or early 30s, between 5ft 11ins and 6ft in height. He is understood to be of large build with muscular arms.

Cleveland Police Detective Constable Iona Leigh-Jones said: “The victim and her family are currently being supported by specialist officers and she has been very brave in coming forward to speak with us.

“Detectives are making every effort to trace the person responsible and are carrying out enquiries in the local area today, including trying to trace private CCTV cameras and speaking with local residents.

“Whilst we know that this incident will be concerning for local residents, we have additional officers who will be patrolling the area to reassure them.”

  • Anyone with information or dashcam footage or private CCTV cameras near to the location of the incident can contact DC Iona Leigh-Jones via non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 28100