Mother of Highland Show rape victim issues appeal

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 10:13

THE mother of a teenage girl raped at the Royal Highland Show today made an appeal to catch the attacker before he strikes again.

The 17-year-old, from the north-east of Scotland, was assaulted during an evening event at the annual show in Ingliston, Edinburgh.

Detectives have asked guests at the Young Farmers' Ball on Friday to send any photographs they took at the gathering in a bid to identify the rapist.

In a statement today, the victim's mother said: "We are determined to help the police catch the person who did this to my daughter, because if he isn't caught he could do it again.

"I am appealing for anyone who has information about what happened to my daughter to come forward, and I would urge anyone who was at the ball and took photographs of the event to email them to the police.

"I would also appeal to the person who carried out this crime against my daughter to hand himself in to police at the earliest opportunity."

The Queen was a visitor to this year's Royal Highland Show today as the agricultural showcase celebrated its 225th anniversary.

The three-day event, featuring showjumping, livestock competitions and music, attracted thousands of visitors.

The teenager, from the Grampian area, was assaulted near portable toilets between the east caravan park and the marquee where the ball was taking place.

The attack happened between 12.30 and 1am on Saturday morning.

A teenage girl was raped at the same event three years ago.

The mother of Saturday's victim said: "My daughter is trying to put this awful experience behind her, and as a family we are trying to live life as normal in what is a very abnormal situation.

"We are all devastated, but we are strong, and we are pulling together as a family to support each other and get through this."

The suspect is described as white, in his mid-to-late 20s, and of stocky build.

He was unshaven with short brown hair and wore jeans and a dark blue rugby-style shirt with yellow letters on the back.

Anyone who took photos at the event have been asked to send them to the dedicated email address [e-mail]