Witnesses sought after sex attack on teenage girl

POLICE appealed for witnesses yesterday after a teenager was the subject of a "terrifying" sex attack.

The 18-year-old woman was assaulted as she walked along a footpath near St John's Hospital in Livingston on Wednesday afternoon.

Lothian and Borders Police said she was followed by a man in his early 20s as she went through an underpass beneath Howden South Road, near the hospital's east entrance.

She was grabbed by the man as she made it on to a path running parallel to Howden West Road at around 4:30pm. The suspect stole the woman's phone before subjecting her to a serious sexual assault.

A police spokesman said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim, and we are anxious to speak to anyone who was in the area of the underpass when the attack happened.

"Anyone who was in the vicinity at the time, who saw or heard anything suspicious, should contact police immediately."

The man is said to be around 5ft 7ins tall, of average build, with short, light brown or blond hair and pale skin. He was wearing a black waist-length jacket.

He added: "Anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who has other information, should get in touch."