Girl, 14, 'dragged down stairs' in Preston sex assault

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-24388042

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A 14-year-old girl was dragged down a flight of stairs and sexually assaulted in Preston Park, police said.

The girl, who had been out with friends, was approached in Ribbleton Avenue at 20:10 BST on Monday.

Officers said a man tried to talk to her. She continued to walk away, but the girl was then grabbed and assaulted.

The man, who ran off towards Ribbleton Hall Drive, is described as between 25 and 30, tall and of muscular build.

He had a "tanned complexion", with blue eyes and light brown hair. He was wearing a brown jacket, blue knee-length shorts and a blue and white top with horizontal stripes.

Police have described it as an "isolated incident", but patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Det Insp Warren Atkinson said: "This is a serious offence against a vulnerable young girl and we urgently need witnesses to come forward to help us catch the man responsible.

"The incident took place on a set of steps that lead from the main road down to some wasteland between the RSPCA building and the Grange Estate on Ribbleton Avenue."

He added: "Immediately after the attack a man has walked past the victim and we are keen for him to make contact with us."