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Parent of boy sexually assaulted on Highland campsite saw attacker | Parent of boy sexually assaulted on Highland campsite saw attacker |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The assault took place at the camp site in Drumnadrochit | The assault took place at the camp site in Drumnadrochit |
One of the parents of an eight-year-old boy who was sexually assaulted while camping in the Highlands saw the suspect leaving the area, Police Scotland have confirmed. | One of the parents of an eight-year-old boy who was sexually assaulted while camping in the Highlands saw the suspect leaving the area, Police Scotland have confirmed. |
Police said the child was sleeping in a tent on his own, at the Loch Ness Bay campsite in Drumnadrochit, when the assault happened between 12:20 and 01:00 in the early hours of Thursday. | Police said the child was sleeping in a tent on his own, at the Loch Ness Bay campsite in Drumnadrochit, when the assault happened between 12:20 and 01:00 in the early hours of Thursday. |
The boy's parents, who were were in a separate tent nearby, saw the man and raised the alarm. The suspect is described as white, aged 30 to 50, about 5ft 10ins tall and bald on top. | |
Police said the incident has been "hugely traumatising for the child and his family - and naturally worrying to the community". | Police said the incident has been "hugely traumatising for the child and his family - and naturally worrying to the community". |
Police Scotland say there will be a large operation at the camp | Police Scotland say there will be a large operation at the camp |
During a media briefing in Inverness, officers confirmed that the family were tourists on holiday in the area. | During a media briefing in Inverness, officers confirmed that the family were tourists on holiday in the area. |
It is not known if the attacker was staying on the campsite but police have not ruled out that line of inquiry. | It is not known if the attacker was staying on the campsite but police have not ruled out that line of inquiry. |
They said one of the boy's parents became aware of the incident and witnessed the suspect leaving the area. | They said one of the boy's parents became aware of the incident and witnessed the suspect leaving the area. |
Det Supt Smith said: "One of the parents has come out from where they were sleeping and has seen the assailant leaving the area - and that's part of the reason we have got the description that we have." | Det Supt Smith said: "One of the parents has come out from where they were sleeping and has seen the assailant leaving the area - and that's part of the reason we have got the description that we have." |
The detective said: "I'm not going to go into details of the assault but it was a sexual assault on an eight-year-old child, hugely traumatising on the child, hugely traumatising on the family and naturally worrying to the community. | The detective said: "I'm not going to go into details of the assault but it was a sexual assault on an eight-year-old child, hugely traumatising on the child, hugely traumatising on the family and naturally worrying to the community. |
"This is very unusual for this to happen in the Highlands." | "This is very unusual for this to happen in the Highlands." |
Det Supt Smith said dedicated team of 10 to 12 officers, both uniform and plain-clothed, were involved in the investigation. | Det Supt Smith said dedicated team of 10 to 12 officers, both uniform and plain-clothed, were involved in the investigation. |
This included reviewing "all available" CCTV footage, he said. | This included reviewing "all available" CCTV footage, he said. |
Police also urged anyone who was staying in the Drumnadrochit area to come forward, as any piece of information, could prove vital. | Police also urged anyone who was staying in the Drumnadrochit area to come forward, as any piece of information, could prove vital. |
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland. | Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland. |
Local councillor David Fraser told BBC Scotland News the attack was "totally shocking" and had "affected the whole community". | Local councillor David Fraser told BBC Scotland News the attack was "totally shocking" and had "affected the whole community". |
He said: "Drumnadrochit is a small highland community on the banks of Loch Ness and things like this don't usually happen here. | He said: "Drumnadrochit is a small highland community on the banks of Loch Ness and things like this don't usually happen here. |
"It is a small, close-knit community, we welcome visitors all the time. We are completely shocked that something like this could happen within our village. | "It is a small, close-knit community, we welcome visitors all the time. We are completely shocked that something like this could happen within our village. |
"Words cannot describe the impact this event will have had." | "Words cannot describe the impact this event will have had." |