17/09/2013

Woman Sexually Assaulted In Lisburn

Police are investigating a series sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman by three men.

It is understood the assault happened on the Lagan towpath area in Lisburn.

The incident happened near Lisburn's Moors Bridge at around 6.30pm on 9 September, but police only released details of it yesterday (16 September).

Detectives are working to establish the details of the incident and have asked anyone who may have been in the area to contact them. They are especially keen to speak to a woman who was walking with a golden Labrador and accompanied by a young boy of around 15 years of age who was on a bicycle; an elderly gentleman with grey hair and wearing tinted glasses and two male joggers who were both wearing neon jackets.

Lisburn SDLP Councillor and Community Safety Partnership member Patrick Catney is quoted by the Belfast Telegraph as saying: "I was disgusted when I heard about this horrendous crime and we are all devastated across the political divide. I have enquired after how the young lady is.

"I'm sure police had their reasons for only releasing the details of this crime now, but information like this needs to be put into the public domain as quickly as possible.

"I urge anyone walking in that area to be vigilant.

"Women should not have to live in fear, though, and should be able to run or walk along the towpath, so I urge anyone with information to come forward."

A PSNI spokeswoman said she could not reveal why it took a week for the information to be released.

Anyone with information can contact Detectives at the Rape Crime Unit in Ladas Drive on 028 9070 0305. Police can also be contacted on 0845 600 8000 or information can be provided anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111.

(JP/CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 November 2024
Justice Minister Aims To Improve Victims And Witnesses Services
The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has announced proposals to improve the experience of services for victims and witnesses of crime. The Minister has launched a public consultation, seeking the views of the public as it develops its Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill.
07 April 2017
Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Assisting A Prisoner
A 33-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting a prisoner who was released in error from Maghaberry, just outside Lisburn. Michael Smith, 38, was mistakenly released on 07 March while on remand for murder. Police arrested him in the Carryduff area in south Belfast on Wednesday, 05 April.
03 May 2016
Police Appeal Following Burglaries In Lisburn And Dunloy
Police have launched an investigation following a burglary at a house in Lisburn. The incident happened in the Saintsbury Avenue area sometime between 8pm and midnight on Saturday, 30 April. A sum of cash, a gold bracelet and a number of Royal Dalton figurines were stolen.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
21 October 2024
Man Seriously Injured in Lisburn Assault
Detectives are investigating a serious assault that occurred in Lisburn during the early hours of Saturday, 19 October. Police received a report at around 1:00am that a man in his 20s had been assaulted after an argument broke out outside a licensed premises in the Queensway area.