Bristol rapist has destroyed girl's life
A family friend of a 16-year-old rape victim in Bristol has made an impassioned plea for help in the police hunt for her attacker.
Paula Whatman, 44, told a news conference at Lockleaze police station how the horrific, knifepoint sex attack had devastated the lives of the victim and her loving family.
She said: "The man who did this must be stopped for the protection of other girls and so that the victim can begin to rebuild her life.
"This man is still out there, walking about freely. The victim needs to be able to walk the streets again and to feel that this person is not still out there."
The attack happened at around 5.15am on St Valentine's Day in Minto Road, St Werburgh's.
The teenager left the Clockwork Club, in Stokes Croft, where she had been enjoying a night out with friends, at about 5am.
Two friends walked some way with her before separating and leaving her to continue alone.
She was attacked in Minto Road, off Sevier Street. Detective Inspector Will White described it as a violent attack that had left the teenager "seriously traumatised".
Ms Whatman said a "lovely, bright, trusting and innocent girl" had become quiet and fragile.
"She is struggling to find any resolve or reason or hope," she said.
The girl's parents and siblings were "an incredibly close family" who were still coming to terms with what had happened, "just coping from minute to minute".
Ms Whatman said: "Any parent will tell you that this is possible the biggest nightmare they would ever have to go through. There is gratitude for her life, but they are very broken."
She urged anyone who saw the girl on her walk from Stokes Croft or who knew anything about the crime to come forward to help police.
Police last night issued press and TV with images from CCTV cameras along the route the girl followed from Stokes Croft, via City Road, Ashley Road, Sussex Place and Sevier Street to Minto Road.
Officers, who last month issued an e-fit of the suspect, say they are determined to catch him but will need more help from the public.
The suspect is believed to have been around 30 with a mixed race or possibly Mediterranean background, with shortish curly dark hair.
He spoke with a Bristolian accent and was cleanshaven and wore a long-sleeved, dark shirt with thin stripes or checked pattern on it and blue jeans.
Officers are urgently looking to identify a white man in his 20s with dark hair and glasses who was seen on CCTV walking in the St Werburgh's area, following an almost identical route to the victim just two minutes later.
The man – who is not a suspect in the case – may have seen or heard something which could prove vital to the investigation.
DI White, who is leading the investigation, said: "The image is remarkably clear, so we are very hopeful that someone will come forward to identify the man we are so keen to speak to.
"I need to emphasise that he is not a suspect in the case, but he could be important to us as he was only a couple of minutes behind the victim for some time."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
11 Comments
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by Drew, Henleaze
Friday, April 10 2009, 3:58PM
“I know the girl from my college, and she has been highly traumatised. I know the actual story and she was walking alone as her friends left her about 2 minutes from her house. It is awful that in the short space of time something like this could happen.”
by joe, fishponds
Friday, March 13 2009, 9:29PM
“its terrible that young girls can not walk the streets without being attacked in this way. it might take some time, but the person involved, will be caught and put to justice.
i will probably get shot down for this, but this young girl, should not have been out this late without being with a adult.
This tragic case mirrors the 15 year old from Devon, who's mother left her alone in Goa, whilst she travelled to another part of indian. She was also attacked, but sadly was killed.
I'm not blaming the parents in this case, Knowing how i was at that age, i'm sure this young girl told a little white lie, Ie "mum i'm staying at a friends house tonight" or sneaking out the house late at night etc etc.
When i was younger, if i stayed out that late, and my parents found out, nevermind being assaulted in the street, My parents would have given me such a hiding, that i would want to call child line, and if they found out that i had called child line, then i would have had some more.
I hope this young girl, will stay brave and strong, because this monster will be caught, Trust me,”
by GEORGE, BRISTOL
Friday, March 13 2009, 3:44PM
“I stand by my first comment that this young woman nor her parents are to blame for this girl being attacked. How about the two men who were attacked in Henbury, is it their fault because they were out early on a sunday morning!”
by Rachel, St George
Friday, March 13 2009, 12:58PM
“I agree with Dean, A Mum & Dave, whilst it is horrific what happend, at 16 she should not be out clubbing and walking home at 5am. Where were the parents, surely if they let her go out clubbing the should at least accept the responsibility of picking her up to ensure her safety. I have two daughters and there is no way I will let them out clubbing when they get to 16 also has the law changed recently? I thought you had to be 18 to get into nightclubs and drink.”
by A mum, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 12:51PM
“Liz and George - it is definately definately not the girl or her families fault - the only fault lies with the monster that committed this horrific attack - his punishment should be life in prison because this attack will be with this young girl for the rest of her life (although my personal preference to what his punishment should be would be removed by the BEP if I were to type it). All I was saying was that with the horrific things that happen in this world to young and old alike is that I would not allow my daughter to be on the streets alone at this time - as it is she has to be home at 10.30 pm and if she has noone to walk with then I pick her up and always make sure whoever she is with either stays at our house or gets picked up.”
by GEORGE, BRISTOL
Friday, March 13 2009, 12:48PM
“Dave Bradley Stoke, I did not use any profanities when I made my comment, I would appreciate it if you could do likewise.”
by Liz, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 12:36PM
“I agree with the comments of George, why should this young woman or her parents justify why she was having a night out with her friends. She is not the guilty party here, it is the animal who was prowling the streets.”
by Dave, Bradley Stoke
Friday, March 13 2009, 12:04PM
“George, WTF are you on about??!?!?!?!?
I agree with Dean and the mum. As a father of a teenage girl, slightly older than the poor lass that was attacked, I would never let her walk the streets at 5am, she would have been home before that or picked up in a car. In no way am I blaming the girl, what happened to her is horrific and I really feel for her and her family, I really hope that in time she can recover and carry on with her life.
Oh, and George, I'd love to be on the jury if they catch this guy!”
by A mum, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 10:48AM
“George - I agree with Dean. Although I am DEFINATELY not saying that the girl was "asking for it" as a mum myself I know that my 16 year old daughter would be safely tucked up in bed at this time of night - not just walking home from a nightclub alone. Through no fault of her own this young girl has been horrifically attacked (attacks like this can unfortunately happen at any time of day) but clubbing until 5 in the morning - surely that is questionable at that age. It is not safe for anyone to walk home alone at that time of day let alone a defenceless young girl. My true sympathies go to this child for her ordeal - I hope she finds the strength to recover and carry on.”
by GEORGE, BRISTOL
Friday, March 13 2009, 10:17AM
“Dean, Should all females be under curfew because some men are worse than animals. Is it your opinion also that women are raped because they asked for it by wearing a short skirt!!! Lets hope you are not on jury service if this beast is caught!!”