Photofit issued in teen rape case

The police want to question this man about a rape

The police have issued a photofit of a man they want to question about the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Belfast.

She had been at the shops on the Glen Road at about 2100 BST on 23 September, when a man in his 30s grabbed her.

He dragged her into bushes in the grounds of a nearby resource centre and sexually assaulted her.

Police revealed details of the attack after the victim confided in a relative. Paul Maskey of Sinn Fein said it was part of "a worrying trend".

"There are some people out there within our society and it doesn't matter what time of day or night, they will try and attack these young girls," he said.

"Young girls, unfortunately, are very vulnerable. "

Sean Lennon of Andersonstown Neighbourhood Project condemned the attack.

"They have destroyed that child, her family and her greater family circle," he said.

She was dragged into bushes and assaulted

"And they have instilled fear within the local community by these type of actions."

Detective Sergeant John McDermott said: "A young 15-year-old girl, a child in actual fact, who was walking from a house to the shops couldn't do so in safety.

"It was a brutal attack and this person must be brought to justice."

The attacker was described as being in his 30s, of chubby build with dark hair.

Police said he had a distinctive short, bushy moustache, bushy eyebrows and two dents on either side of his nose.

His right ear was pierced and he spoke with a local accent.

At the time of the attack, the man was dressed in blue jeans and a light coloured t-shirt.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact the police.