Teenage girl sexually assaulted by cyclist on canal towpath

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted by a cyclist on a Tameside canal towpath. Police received a report that the girl had been assaulted by a man who had been riding his bike along the Ashton Canal towpath, in Audenshaw, at around 3.50pm on Thursday (June 23).

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and has been questioned by police in Tameside. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries, Greater Manchester Police confirmed this morning (June 25).

Det Con Katy McFarlane, of GMP's Tameside district, says police enquiries are 'very much ongoing' and anyone with information about the incident is asked to get in touch. She particularly wants to hear from a group who saw the incident unfold at the canal towpath and tried to intervene.

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“We know that the person responsible for this sexual assault was disturbed by four males who were walking nearby," Det Con McFarlane said. “I appeal directly to those witnesses or anyone else with information to contact us or Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact detectives by calling 0161 856 9262, quoting incident number 213 of June 23, 2022. Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

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