Police appeal after 12-year-old boy indecently assaulted by teen

A 12-year-old boy was indecently assaulted by a teenager after being forced on to a secluded cycle path, police said yesterday.

The youngster was walking along a road in Kilmacolm, one of Scotland's most affluent villages, when he was approached near a pub at around 4pm on Thursday.

Police said the assault took place near The Pullman pub on Lochwinnoch Road in the Inverclyde village.

The suspect is described as white and between 16 and 18. He is between 5ft 5ins and 5ft 7ins tall, with a slim build and a shaven head.

He was last seen wearing a grey tracksuit and is described as having lots of freckles on his face, police said. He may have been carrying a plastic carrier bag.

Detective Sergeant Jim Mimnagh, who is leading the investigation for Strathclyde Police, said: "This young boy has been subjected to a terrible attack and is extremely distressed by all that has happened.

"I'm outraged at this attack and I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the assault to please think about what they may have seen or noticed.

"Lochwinnoch Road is a busy thoroughfare with vehicular and pedestrian traffic and it may be that someone saw the man and the young boy cross the road or perhaps saw the suspect. Please do get in touch with us as a matter of urgency."