CCTV images of men wanted for rape of 14-year-old boy

August 21, 2012, 11:16 am

Police have issued  in Manchester city centre.

The attack happened two months ago, but a team of officers have been working since then with the victim to build up a picture of what happened and have been waiting for forensic results before deciding to issue an appeal.

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At about 5.45pm on Saturday 2 June 2012, the teen victim was in the Arndale centre, near the entrance of Aldi and Subway, when he went to the toilets.

While there he was approached by two men, one Asian, one white, who stared at him. One of them said to him ‘come with us, do what we say and if you try to run we’ll get you,’ and he was grabbed by the arm, led out of the Arndale centre and taken to nearby Debenhams.

He was then taken by the lift upstairs and was marched to a toilet where he was raped by the Asian man.

The traumatised victim contacted the police and has been supported by specially trained officers. He has been video interviewed and police have now issued CCTV stills of two men wanted in connection with the incident.

Detective Sergeant Liam Boden, of North Manchester CID, said: “This young victim has been absolutely devastated by what happened to him.

“As a result we have ensured that he has been supported by officers who are trained in dealing with victims under this type of terrible circumstances.

“What makes this incident doubly shocking is that he was marched across a busy part of the city centre during the late afternoon on Saturday.

“However, this means I am confident that shoppers may have seen the offenders either before or after the incident.

“I want people to take a good look at the men in these images and tell me who they are.”

Anyone with information is asked to call North Manchester CID on 0161 856 3240 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

– If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

– You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.

– St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.

– Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.