A man who raped a teenage girl at the Royal Highland Show near Edinburgh last weekend may have been Irish, police said today.
The victim told detectives he may have spoken with an Irish accent, but could not say if he was from the north or south, according to Lothian and Borders police.
The 17-year-old was assaulted some time between 12.30 and 1am at Ingliston showground in the area of the portable toilets between the east caravan park and a marquee where a Young Farmers Ball was taking place.
The suspect is described as white, mid-to-late 20s, between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in and of stocky build. He was unshaven with short brown hair, described as being in a gelled, messy style, and he had a distinctive small nose. He was wearing light blue jeans, and a dark blue rugby-style shirt with yellow letters on the back.
It is thought that he was at the ball in the company of a group of young men, one of whom had on a distinctive Australian-style bush hat, and was wearing blue jeans and a red top, with white lettering.
The girl's mother has made a plea for information to help identify her daughter's attacker. Police are also appealing for anyone who took photos at the event to contact them.
PA