Rape in Reading - Harrow Court - update
| Published: 4th September 2008 23:00 |
their appeal for witnesses. Since officers first appealed for information a number of people have come forward with information. Police now believe that the 19-year-old victim was attacked in Harrow Court, off Bath Road, rather than Field Road.
Det Insp Rebecca Mears, from Reading CID, said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who was disturbed by a commotion in Harrow Court at around 12.30am or anyone who saw the victim trying to flag down vehicles along the Bath Road after her ordeal.
"We would also like to thank the media for their help so far in appealing for witnesses. Through their help we have been able to trace the woman wearing the pink cowboy hat who was seen on CCTV with the victim shortly before she was attacked."
The offender is a black man with dark coloured skin, average build, has short hair in his late twenties, around 5ft 9ins with a round face, brown eyes and a fat nose. He was clean shaven and was wearing a dark coloured long sleeved shirt - un-tucked with the collar turned up - dark blue jeans and dark shoes. He also had a strong smell of aftershave which suggests he may have been in town earlier on in the evening.
The victim had earlier been in Yates's bar in Friar Street where she spoke to a group of women wearing shiny-coloured cowboy hats.
She left the bar at midnight and at 12.17am was seen on CCTV at the bottom of Castle Street. She could also be seen talking to one of the women in cowboy hats.
The pair walked together up Castle Street, crossed the roundabout, and walked partly up Castle Hill before parting and going their separate ways.
"If anyone recognises this man they should contact police urgently."
Anyone with any information should contact Det Insp Kevin Smith at Reading police station via 0845 8 505 505.
Alternatively, if you don't want to speak to police and don't want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
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