By Jenny Barwise

Last updated 09:17, Wednesday, 06 August 2008

Detectives are appealing for an elderly man, who may have seen a 16-year-old girl minutes before she was sexually assaulted, to come forward.

• Video: watch the police appeal

E-fit of the attacker

The attack took place on Thursday night at about 10.15pm at Mossbay Road, Workington, when the girl was walking alone towards the town centre.

The man, who police believe may be a key witness, is aged between 60 and 70 years old. He was with two children, possibly his grandchildren, in the Golden Dragon takeaway on Mossbay road at about 10pm when the victim walked in to buy a drink.

The girl walked from Firth View Walk into Wastwater Avenue turning into Roe Terrace into Salisbury Street before entering Mossbay Road where the attack took place.

Detective Superintendent Cath Thundercloud, who today retraced the girl's footsteps in the hope of jogging someone's memory, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident to come forward.

“We would like to speak to an elderly man who was in the company of two youngsters, possibly his grandchildren, in the Golden Dragon takeaway on Mossbay Road at about 10pm on Thursday night. The victim entered and purchased a drink at this time and this gentleman may have been a witness who has information which may help us.

“It is important that anyone who was in the area or who thinks they may have information which may help us in this investigation contacts us on 0845 33 00 247.”

The suspect is about 22-years-old, 6ft tall and stocky. He is believed to have short dark hair and blue eyes. He had a partly shaved eyebrow.

He is also believed to have a blue spot tattoo under the knuckle of the little finger on his right hand and may also have significant bruising or injury to the base of his thumb on his right hand.

He was wearing a dark coloured Nike hooded top, dark coloured Adidas-style training pants with vertical white stripes on the outside of the leg ending at the knee.

He also had black trainers with white laces, sporting a silver metal England badge on the bottom lace of the trainers.

He was last seen running in the direction of Workington Rugby Union Club.