Appeal over student sex attack more than 20 years ago

Police said the 19-year-old woman was assaulted in the Church Street area of Carlisle in 2002

Police are investigating a sexual assault which happened 22 years ago but has only just been reported.

The victim, a woman aged 19 at the time, was attacked on 19 October, 2002, in the Church Street and Roman Way area of Stanwix, Carlisle, Cumbria Police said.

She was walking to her boyfriend’s home at about 17:00 BST when she was followed by three men, one of whom grabbed and assaulted her, the force said.

The teenager, who was a student, said a woman with curly brown hair and glasses came to her aid, who officers are trying to trace.

Police said the main suspect was aged between 17 and 20 years old and between 5ft 7ins and 5ft 10ins tall.

He had a crooked nose and a slim-to-medium build and short, dark brown hair.

One of the two other men had a shaved head and the other had light coloured hair.

All three are believed to have been local to Carlisle, police said.

'Came to victim's aid'

The woman who intervened was carrying a Morrisons shopping bag and may have been in a red car.

Officers are also keen to hear from the victim’s then-boyfriend, who she is no longer in contact with, but who may be able to assist officers in piecing together what happened. He was local to Carlisle.

Det Con Katie Rowberry of the Cumbria force said: “While the incident occurred over 20 years ago, we believe that the woman who came to the victim’s aid will recall the incident and may be able to provide valuable information which will aid this investigation.

"Likewise, we believe the details provided, if seen by the victim’s ex-boyfriend, will be recognised and hopefully lead to him getting in touch in order to assist officers."