Detectives investigating a sexual assault of a teenage girl have made a direct appeal for a potential key witness to come forward.
It’s believed the incident took place in an alleyway off St Mary’s Memorial Gardens, Newark, around 9pm on Thursday 28 December 2023.
Following inquiries, five boys aged 16, 16, 16, 16, and 14, were arrested on suspicion of rape.
As part of their ongoing investigation, detectives want to speak to a man who spoke to the victim while she was sat on a bench in front of the Boyes store in Appleton Gate, Newark, around 8.35pm on Thursday 28 December.
It’s believed he also spoke to a group of people who had approached the victim, before he walked off towards Barnby Gate.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We’re treating this incident extremely seriously and we are continuing to pursue multiple lines of inquiry, including trawling through CCTV footage and forensics.
“To assist us with our ongoing investigation, we want to speak to a man who spoke to the victim while she was sat on a bench earlier that night.
“I am keen to stress he is not a suspect, but he may be a witness who has key information which could assist our investigation. I am appealing for him to please come forward and speak to us as soon as possible. It’s not too late for him to contact us.
“The victim and her family continue to be supported by specially trained officers. From the extensive inquiries we have completed so far, we have interviewed five suspects in connection with our investigation and we are following multiple lines of inquiry, including CCTV and forensics, in this case.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 666 of 28 December 2023, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
