A SCHOOLGIRL aged 15 was subjected to a serious sex attack in York city centre, police said today.

Detectives are also investigating a separate incident in which a man was allegedly raped.

Both attacks are said to have happened at the weekend, according to officers in York.

They said the schoolgirl was left "extremely traumatised" after being attacked by a man as she walked along Peter Lane, a narrow alleyway which runs between High Ousegate and Market Street in the city centre, on Saturday night.

DC Ian Murray, of York police, said the girl was discovered in a "distraught" state by a police officer on city centre foot patrol.

She was taken to York District Hospital but later discharged.

Police sealed off the area with tape following the attack, which happened just before 10pm on Saturday.

DC Murray told the Evening Press: "This was a serious sexual attack which left the victim in a very distraught state.

"We know she had been out with friends but had become separated from them at the time of the assault.

"We appeal for any witnesses to come forward - it's quite possible someone saw the offender lurking around Peter Lane prior to the incident."

The attacker is described as a white male, in his mid-20s with brown and ginger hair cut in a curtain style.

He was wearing brown trousers and a black coat. He had "three-quarters growth" of beard and smelled "foisty".

In the second incident, a 19-year-old man told police he was grabbed by four men as he walked along Wigginton Road, near to York District Hospital, and taken to a house where he was raped by one of them.

The man had walked from the city centre with a group of women friends early on Saturday but parted from them near the hospital.

He said he was then grabbed by the four men at about 5.30am, taken to a nearby house and raped by one man.

Police are trying to trace anyone who saw the man with the group of four men.

Anyone with information on either incident should contact police in York on 01904 631321.

Updated: 16:42 Monday, October 22, 2001