DETECTIVES are hunting for a sex attacker who abducted a teenage girl and subjected her to a terrifying attack - ten months ago

A police spokesman said a 15-year-old girl was pulled into a car in the picturesque village of Coxwold, near Easingwold, and driven half a mile to a duck pond at Newburgh Priory before being sexually assaulted.

She was then let out of the car before her attacker drove off.

The incident happened on an evening in November last year, but the girl has only just felt able to tell police.

Now detectives are seeking witnesses to the attack, or any information about the offender or his car.

The girl was walking along the unlit road into Coxwold at about 6.30pm when a car, which was travelling from the direction of Oulston and Easingwold, pulled up beside her.

The male driver asked for directions to York and because he was quietly spoken the girl leaned into the open passenger door to hear him.

He then pulled her inside the car, locked the doors and drove to Newburgh Priory where the assault took place. Her ordeal lasted about 15 minutes.

The attacker is described as white, in his late 30s or early 40s, with broad shoulders, and was slim with a stubbly face.

At the time he was wearing an open-necked shirt and jeans.

He was driving a red two-door Vauxhall Nova hatchback, which had a grey interior and did not have a tax disc. The man and the car smelled strongly of whisky.

Anyone with information should phone 01609 783131.

Updated: 11:11 Tuesday, September 11, 2001