Fresh appeal over 1994 sex assault on child in Newry

Detectives released an image of the man as he may appear now – 20 years on

Police investigating the attempted murder and serious sexual assault of a child in County Down 20 years ago have made a new appeal to find her attacker.

How the offender was described by the victim and her friend

The PSNI have released an image of the man wanted for the rape and attempted murder of an eight-year-old girl.

The child was attacked, tied to a tree and left for dead 20 years ago in Newry, Co Down.

On Monday the PSNI launched a new appeal to find her attacker.

The victim had been playing wooded area with a boy (7) within Daisy Hill Nursery at Barcroft Community Centre when she was attacked.

The man, who is believed to have been in his late teens or early 20s at the time, asked the children to help find his brother.

The youngsters went with the sex beast but were separated in woodland where the young girl was subjected to a prolonged sexual assault.

The attack is being treated as attempted murder because the girl sustained a serious head injury during the assault

Now local police have released two new images of the suspect, who is now aged around 40.

Detectives investigating the case are appealing to members of the public who may have information.

Specifically, they would like to hear from people who came forward in 1994 but who have not made contact since.

Anyone with information is asked to call the PSNI Serious Crime Branch on 028 3836 6274 or Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.