Girl, 16, attacked on walk

WALKERS are being urged to stay vigilant after a teenage girl was attacked as she walked her dog in Lees on Wednesday.

The 16-year-old girl was walking along a bridle path, off Wellyhole Street, at about 8.40pm when she was approached by her attacker who told her to kneel down.

He threatened her with a stone before the pair struggled and fell down an embankment.

During the struggle the girl’s jumper was removed and she ran off.

The man chased her for a short distance but stopped close to a bridge over a stream.

The offender is described as white, 18 or 19 years old, of slim build, with short or shaven dark hair and wearing a baggy grey, hooded jumper and tracksuit bottoms.

The victim described him as being between 5ft 6in and 5ft 8in tall but a witness said he was 6ft tall.

Det Sgt Liz Hopkinson, of Oldham CID, said: “The girl is extremely shaken up by what has happened.

“I believe the offender is local to the area. While incidents such as this are rare it is important we inform the public as we know the area is frequently used by walkers and I would urge them to remain vigilant.”