Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Detectives investigating a report of an assault which took place on the Tarka Trail near Bideford at around 5pm on Wednesday 25 June are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

The female victim, a teenaged girl, had been walking between the Iron Bridge and Heritage Railway Station, towards Bideford, when a man grabbed her and pulled her towards the bushes.

The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 30 to 40 years old, with wrinkled, dirty facial skin, distinctly perfect white teeth and pronounced drawn-down cheekbones.

He has messy dark blonde hair of average, short length, large hands without hair and short chubby fingers. The suspect has a deep voice.

At the beginning of the incident, the suspect was wearing black work trousers with a pocket on the left leg which had a black button, and a plain white top without sleeves which was long and baggy.

He later put on a plain, white-sleeved jumper with a hood and a pocket on the belly and left the scene going towards Bideford wearing the jumper.

Detective Inspector Emma Lefort, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are appealing to anyone who was walking or cycling in the area between the Iron Bridge and Heritage Railway Station, near Bideford, between 5pm and 6pm on Wednesday 25 June who may have seen anything concerning or any suspicious activity, to contact us.

“It has been reported that two people went past on bikes and another man was there on foot, who we would like to speak to.”

These have been described as a man, who the victim believes saw her, and a woman who were cycling together towards Bideford. The victim says she spoke to the man, described as in his late 50s or early 60s, riding on a black bike, but he did not respond to her.

The victim also described another man in his 50s or 60s, dressed all in blue, wearing circular glasses, who was tall with straight brown hair and spoke with people in the area at the time.

DI Lefort continued: “I would like to appeal to these individuals to come forward as we believe they may have witnessed the incident or may have seen a man in a white top, interacting with or walking with a teenage girl, on or around the Iron Bridge at around 4.30-5pm.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen the suspect walking along the Tarka Trail from either direction (from Bideford or Torrington).

“This type of incident is rare in our area and members of the public are likely to see a heightened police presence as enquiries are ongoing.”

A man his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He has been released on bail, pending further enquiries.

If you witnessed the incident or have any information or dashcam footage that could help with enquiries, please contact us via our website here or by calling 101 quoting reference number 50250162243.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.