Parents' plea to help ID rapist

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The parents of an 18-year-old girl who was raped in North Berwick have made a plea for information to help identify her attacker.

The teenager's parents appealed to the public to help catch the man who attacked her as she walked home.

In a joint statement, they said: "We are struggling to come to terms with what has happened to our daughter."

The teenager was raped in North Berwick High Street at about 0040 BST on Tuesday.

Her parents said: "We are totally devastated, and so are our family and friends.

"As to why anyone should want to inflict such pain upon a fellow human is hard for us all to comprehend, and we are anxious that the person who did this is caught.

We are keen to speak to two middle-aged women who were seen walking along the High Street at around the time the assault took place Det Insp Stuart HoodLothian and Borders Police

"We are appealing for people to come forward with any information they might have that can help police find the man who attacked our daughter."

The statement added that they wanted to thank everyone for the "kind words and support" they had received during "this harrowing time".

Police are reiterating their appeal for information about the attack, which took place in a small vennel, to the side of the Blenheim House Hotel, which was closed at the time.

Before the attack, the victim had seen the suspect standing outside the Quarterdeck Pub in the High Street, in the company of another man.

Potential witnesses

She crossed the street, however the suspect followed her and pushed her against the wall in front of the hotel, before dragging her into the vennel. Her ordeal only ended when a member of the public came to her aid.

Det Insp Stuart Hood, who is leading the investigation, said police were keen to trace potential witnesses who were seen nearby.

He said: "In particular, we are keen to speak to two middle-aged women who were seen walking along the High Street at around the time the assault took place, as they may have information that is vital to the investigation.

"Similarly, we remain keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of the High Street or Westgate areas of North Berwick late on Monday night or into the early hours of Tuesday morning, whether on foot or in a vehicle.

"Anyone who was in the area during these times, and hasn't yet contacted police, should come forward immediately."