Mystery surrounds suspected sex attack
Forensic officers examine scene in New Stevenston
An inquiry is underway to establish if a young woman was the victim of a sex attack in the early hours of Monday.
My s t e r y surrounds the circumstances how the 23-year-old was attacked by a man in Quarry Street, New Stevenston, between 1am and 3am.
Detectives launched an investigation after the alarm was raised by the young woman’s friend after she managed to stagger to her home following the terrifying incident.
The friend called an ambulance and the victim was taken to Wishaw General Hospital.
A police spokesman refused to say whether a sexual attack had taken place.
They are treating the attack as an assault and their inquiries are continuing to find out exactly what happened and if there had been a sexual nature to the attack.
The incident that has shocked the local community happened between 1am and 3am in a wooded area of the street.
The traumatised woman was able to make her way to a nearby friends house to raise the alarm.
Emergency services were called and the distressed woman was taken by ambulance to hospital.
She received treatment for her injuries and was released later that day.
The area was taped off whilst a team of forensic officers in white suits combed the scene for clues to the attack.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old woman was assaulted near Quarry Street, New Stevenston at around 1am.
“Our investigation is in its early stages as we try to establish the circumstances around the assault.”
Helen McKenna, who is councillor for the nearby Newarthill area, said she was disturbed to hear about the attack from concerned constituents who contacted her about the incident.
She added: “I am shocked to find that something like this has happened in a quiet village.
“A lot of constituents called me to say that the young woman had been badly attacked and was taken to Wishaw General Hospital.
“I am told it was a local girl who was attacked.
“It is bad enough hearing about antisocial behaviour and violence in the area but something like this in a small village is horrific.
“I would urge anyone with information on the attack to contact the police immediately.
“It is sad what happened and hope that the young woman makes a speedy recovery.
“It is very sad to hear that this happened to her.”
Yesterday ( Tuesday) Labour councillor Jimmy Coyle said: “I am saddened and shocked to hear that this has happened in our area. I hope and pray that the girl involved is going to be okay.
“I am working with the police to establish what has happened in order to reassure my constituents.”
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