Police given extra time to question man in connection with schoolgirl rape

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

The 11-year-old was dragged into the park at dusk on Friday night

Police have been granted another 24 hours to question an 18-year-old man who was arrested on Monday in connection with the rape of an 11-year-old girl in Jubilee Park, Edmonton, on Friday afternoon.

The schoolgirl was snatched from Galliard Road and dragged into the park just before 5pm – was then subjected to an horrific two-hour ordeal.

The youngster, who needed surgery after the attack, had just got off a 192 bus and was on her way home from school when she was attacked.

On Monday morning, police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of rape. He has been bailed until a date in December.

And on Monday night, the 18-year-old, who Police are still questioning in connection with the attack, was arrested on suspicion of rape.

Police have stepped up patrols around the park and schools in the Edmonton area in a bid to reassure residents.

The brutal assault lasted for more than two hours and the girl did not return home until 7.45pm, nearly three hours after she was snatched off the main road.

Her parents immediately called the police and the girl was taken to hospital, where she is still recovering following the surgery.

Residents living near Jubilee Park have spoken of their horror at the attack. Andy Marcos, a grandfather whose garden backs on to Jubilee Park, said: “It is worrying that these kind of people are out there.

“I put up vines and barbed wire along the back wall to keep the burglars out.

“It is absolutely horrible that this happened to a little girl.”

A mother living in Galliard Road, who did not want to be named, told the Advertiser: “What happened is just appalling – I have a daughter who walks that way.

“I normally walk with her though, but it is just so awful and to think, if she was worried about a man following her, she could have knocked on someone’s door and asked for help.”

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw, who is leading the investigation for the Sapphire Command, said: “Given the significant and unaccounted amount of time between the incident and the victim’s arrival home, we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen her possibly appearing confused or dishevelled following her ordeal.

“All calls will be treated in the utmost confidence.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8345 4326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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