Detectives investigating sexual assault find set of keys

Detectives investigating the sexual assault of a teenage girl in Purfleet are searching for the owner of a set of keys found in woodland nearby.



The 13-year-old girl was walking her Jack Russell in woodland off Centurion Way on Saturday, April 21, 2012 when she was approached by a man who sexually assaulted her before running off between 4pm and 8.30pm.

The keys were found during a search of the area.

Police were originally contacted by the girl’s parents just before 7.30pm because she had not returned from the walk and they were concerned for her welfare.

Officers found her an hour later in a distressed state in bushes near to the Purfleet Military and Heritage Centre. She was taken by paramedics to Basildon University Hospital where specially-trained police officers spoke to her.

The dog returned home on its own at 8pm.

Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Simon Werrett, said: "We’re not sure who these keys belong to and so need to rule them and their owner out of enquiries.

"They may belong to a completely innocent person who has previously walked in and around Centurion Way. We would like to reunite them with their rightful owner.”

The wording on the green tag pictured states ‘Roller Shutter / Workshop’ while the number on the grey fob reads ‘244’.

Officers are continuing to offer support to the girl and her parents while their enquiries continue to focus on people who were in the area on Saturday afternoon.

The suspect is described as white and aged around 30. He is over 5ft 2ins tall and has chubby fingers. At the time, he was wearing a black hoodie.

Anyone with information in connection with this sexual assault is urged to contact detectives at Brentwood’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team on 101.