Teenage clubber sexually assaulted on her walk home

POLICE are appealing to clubbers to come forward with information after a teenage reveller was subjected to a serious sexual assault as she walked home in the early hours.

• Police cordon off the car park where the victim was sexually assaulted

The 18-year-old was on a night out with friends at the Twig club in Livery Street in Bathgate, West Lothian, before leaving at 2am yesterday.

The victim is believed to have been attacked as she walked through the Acredale car park behind George Street in the town's pedestrian precinct.

The traumatised teenager managed to make it back to a friend's house after her ordeal and was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston, where the police were contacted.

Detectives are now scrutinising CCTV footage from the nightclub to try to determine whether the attacker followed her from the venue. Officers are also awaiting the results of forensic tests and believe it was possible the teenager was raped during the incident.

Detective Inspector Phil Gachagan, who is leading the inquiry, said: "She left the nightclub with her group of friends but became separated from them and decided to walk home alone.

"We are now viewing CCTV footage and have already found images which show the victim walking.

"We will continue to look at more footage, as well as CCTV from the club itself. We are speaking with staff and management at the club and they are working with us.

"The full details of this incident are still unknown and we will be continuing with our inquiries.

"I would ask anyone who was in the area, particularly patrons of the Twig nightclub who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, to contact the police.

"Similarly, anyone with information that can assist with this investigation is also asked to come forward." Officers have also carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area around where the assault took place at around 2.30am. No description has yet been issued for a suspect.

Det Insp Gachagan added: "The victim's memory of the incident is quite vague. She has been left very traumatised and confused by what has happened to her. She is now being comforted by her family."

One line of inquiry is that the victim's drink could have been spiked and she may have blacked out. Det Insp Gachagan said: "Drink or alcohol may have been involved."

Police are also reportedly expected to examine whether the attack is linked to at least one other attack which happened in nearby Fauldhouse involving a 17-year-old who was sexually assaulted in an early-morning attack on July 24.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111

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