Girl of 15 raped as 100 children party in a park
A TERRIFIED schoolgirl was raped at in a park over the weekend as scores of teenagers held a traditional end-of-school party.
The 15-year-old was found in a distressed state in Hardwick Heath park shortly after 10pm on Friday.
She had been attacked as more than 100 youngsters gathered for the annual unofficial event at the 55-acre park in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
She was taken to West Suffolk Hospital as a rape inquiry was launched.
A Suffolk Police spokeswoman said it is believed the girl was attacked some time after 8pm.
It is also thought possible that if she cried for help it would have been masked by the partying nearby.
The park, which has been an unofficial venue for school parties for years, as pupils enjoy a lull before exams, is also a popular spot with dog walkers.
AnneMarie Breach said police were now busy trying to track down all of the youngsters who had been at the party. She said: “A police patrol received a report of a distressed girl in the area at about 10pm.
“Officers found her near Hardwick Gardens soon after and took her to hospital.
“It is known about 100 young people were gathered on the heath between 8pm and 11pm on Friday night.
“Police need to speak to them and anyone else who was in the area between these times to gather a full picture of what happened.”
Families living near Hardwick Heath park have grown used to the unofficial annual event taking place.
One resident said: “Every year the students gather after the exams are over. It has turned into quite a big celebration for finishing school for the summer.
“It can get a bit loud, but on the whole they are just out to enjoy themselves and I haven’t heard of any trouble before.”
