Rape investigation 'unacceptable'

The police Ombudsman said aspects of the investigation were "unacceptable".

Aspects of an investigation into the alleged rape of a County Londonderry woman were "unacceptable", the Police Ombudsman has ruled.

The alleged victim said she was not interviewed by police until six months after she reported it in June 2007.

The woman is now suing the PSNI over their handling of the allegation.

The Ombudsman also recommended four police officers be subjected to disciplinary sanctions as a result of the failings of the investigation.

The woman's solicitor, Hilary Carmichael, said her client's parents received a letter of apology from the former chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde.

"He offered an apology as a result of the mistakes made," she said.

"The Ombudsman has also said that the six-month delay in interviewing my client was an unacceptable period of time, and has made a number of recommendations for the improvement of the police's investigation of rape and other serious assaults.