Cabbies may hold clue in Springbourne sex attack claims (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cabbies may hold clue in Springbourne sex attack claims

9:00am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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TAXI drivers may unwittingly hold the clue to identifying a suspected sex attacker who is believed to have molested an Asian teenager in Springbourne.

Details of the alleged “serious sexual assault” in the early hours of Saturday, February 27, have just been released by Dorset police.

DC Martha Brehmer from Bournemouth and Poole CID said the suspect was believed to have struck after his 18-year-old alleged victim accompanied him to his home.

She added: “I believe the alleged victim got into a number of taxis in Bournemouth earlier that night and it’s crucial that I trace all the taxi drivers who came into contact with her.”

The alleged victim is of Asian appearance, 5ft 3in tall with a medium build and reddish shoulder-length dark wavy hair. She was wearing a black top with sleeves to her elbows and a black knee-length layered skirt.

DC Brehmer told the Daily Echo: “I believe that the alleged victim and a female friend first got into a taxi outside the V-Bar in Exeter Road at about 12.30 am. They were asked to leave this cab near the Mary Shelley bar in St Peter’s Road.

“I’m told that they got into two further taxis near Mary Shelley with the second one taking the two women to the top of Richmond Hill where I believe the driver asked them to leave the cab.

“The alleged victim got into a further taxi with a man at the taxi rank opposite the JD Wetherspoon’s Moon in the Square pub on Exeter Road which took them to the Springbourne area.

“I’d urge all the taxi drivers who had any dealings with this young girl early on February 27 to please contact us as soon as possible as they may well have information vital to my investigation.”

A 21-year-old Bournemouth man arrested in connection with the incident has been released on police bail pending further investigations.

• Witnesses can call Dorset police on 01202 222222 or the free Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.