A MAN in his twenties with a chubby face who made off on a mountain bike after raping a woman in a Dungannon wood is being hunted by the PSNI's Rape Crime Unit.
The police are appealing for information following the "appalling" serious sexual assault of the woman in the Peatlands Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Detective Inspector Lynne Knox said: “Police received a report that at approximately 2.45pm as a woman was walking her dog in the Peatlands Park area she was sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant.
“The male made off from the scene on what has been described as a black mountain bike.
“He is described as being approximately 6’ tall, aged in his 20’s, clean shaven, with a chubby face, and droopy eyes. He was wearing all black clothing, a high visibility jacket and a cycling helmet.
Inspector Knox continued: “This was an appalling attack and police are pursuing all investigative lines of enquiry and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this assault or observed anything suspicious to contact Detectives at the Rape Crime Unit on the non-emergency number 101".
Councillor Jonathan Buckley, who lives close to the park, called for "calm and vigilance" and said local people had been left "disgusted and distressed".
A councillor for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Mr Buckley said he had been made aware of the attack by a neighbour and had since been "inundated" by calls and texts from other alarmed residents who use the park on a regular basis.
"This is a park popular with mothers and toddlers, walkers, pensioners and families and everyone is absolutely disgusted and extremely distressed over what has happened," he said. "Hundreds of people use Peatlands Park and in my recollection nothing like this has ever happened before.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the lady concerned and her family. I would call for calm and vigilance and urge anyone who was in the park at the time of the attack or who has any information at all, even the smallest detail, to come forward and assist police in their investigation."
Concern was also raised by Dungannon SDLP councillor Denise Mullen, who called for women walkers and runners to be extra vigilant.
"Peatlands Park is a very family-orientated park and it is difficult believe a woman out walking could be attacked like this in broad daylight," she said. "It has been a horrific experience for this lady and my sympathies are with her and her family.
"There are some secluded areas of the park which stretches over five miles but it is popular with walkers and runners, especially during the day."
Police have appealed for information and have asked anyone who may have witnessed the assault or been in the park on Wednesday to contact them on the non-emergency number, 101.
