Hunt stepped up for Lees attacker

The spot on the bridlepath near the bridge at St John’s Street where the girl police want to speak to was walking a dog

DETECTIVES have launched a manhunt and warned young girls to stay alert after two teenagers walking dogs were followed along a bridlepath and one was attacked.

The two girls were targeted in separate incidents last Wednesday just over an hour apart on a popular dog-walking track off Wellyhole Street, Lees.

Police were initially only aware of the second incident in which a 16-year-old girl was attacked before she managed to escape.

But after learning that a young dog-walker was followed after an appeal for information in the Evening Chronicle on Friday, officers have stepped up their search.

Extra officers are patrolling the area in the early evenings, and police particularly want to speak to the girl who was followed, in the hope she can give them more information to help them trace the culprit.

They learned of her ordeal after speaking to two dog-walkers who went to her assistance when she asked for help.

Det-Sgt Liz Hopkinson, of Oldham CID, said of the man they are seeking: “If this is the same person, I am extremely concerned about this character and obviously for young people in the area.

“The description of the man is exactly the same, and it seems he may have stayed in the area when he failed with the first girl, and found another teenage girl to prey on.”

The girl they want to come forward was aged around 17 and was with a honey-coloured labrador.

The two women told police that as she got to them she said: ‘Could you help me because this man is following me.”

The two women walked with her off the bridleway and into St John’s Street where she felt safe, and they told police the man was still hanging around and acting oddly as they continued their walk.

Det-Sgt Hopkinson said: “The bridleway is a popular dog-walking area known locally as the old railway line.

“The girl we want to speak to was walking on the main track that leads under the bridge at St John’s Street between 7.15 and 7.30pm.

“It is only around 10-15 minutes walk away from where the girl was attacked just over an hour later. She had walked off the main path and was in a more secluded area.

“I would like to speak to anyone who saw someone of this man’s description, or anyone acting suspiciously at any time.”

The 16-year-old girl was told to kneel down by her attacker around 8.40pm as he threatened her with a stone.

There was a struggle and the pair fell down an embankment and the girls’ jumper was removed before she ran off.

The man chased her for a short distance.

He is described as white, aged about 19, of slim build with short or shaven dark hair. He wore a baggy, light grey hooded jumper and tracksuit bottoms. He was about 5ft 7in tall.

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Hopkinson on 0161-856 8807.