DNA clue in showground rape case

The rape took place during a ball at the Royal Highland Show

A DNA sample has been recovered from a teenage girl who was raped at the Royal Highland Show, the detective heading the inquiry has confirmed.

Det Insp Duncan Morrison of Lothian and Borders Police said photographs sent in by members of the public may also help identify the attacker.

The 17-year-old was raped during the Young Farmers' Ball at the Ingliston event on 27 June.

The victim described her attacker as having an Irish accent.

Det Insp Morrison told the BBC News Website said: "We have a wealth of information including pictures people have sent in of who they say is the attacker, which we are sifting through.

"We have also recovered a man's DNA from the victim who we believe is the offender in the rape of the 17-year-old at the Royal Highland Show.

"We will be going to Ireland and Scotland. We will do our utmost to catch him."

Description issued

The man police want to question is described as being white, in his mid-to-late 20s, of stocky build, and between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 10ins tall.

He was unshaven with short brown hair, described as being in a gelled, messy style, and had a small nose.

He was wearing light blue jeans and a dark blue rugby-style shirt with yellow letters on the back.

It is thought he was at the ball in the company of a group of young men, one of whom had on a Australian-style bush hat, and was wearing blue jeans and a red top, with white lettering.