By Gordon Berry

POLICE HAVE made an urgent appeal for help from members of the public as they search for a man who subjected a young woman to a serious sexual attack in St Andrews in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The incident, which left the victim injured, severely traumatised and in need of hospital treatment, occurred after a chance meeting between a group of young women and a man in the South Street area of the town.

One of the investigating officers, Detective Inspector Lee Dickson, said yesterday that after the meeting the group had carried on to an address in St Andrews, where the assault took place.

He said that with the influx of people to the Dunhill Golf Championship and the tourist nature of the town, the assailant may not necessarily be from the St Andrews area.

DI Dickson said the attack had been a particularly unpleasant one, which left the victim extremely shocked, and the man had to be caught as quickly as possible.

“The Dunhill Cup has attracted a large number of people to St Andrews and we believe there should be many witnesses who unwittingly saw the victim and her friends with her attacker around the Church Square area of South Street,” he said.

“Their demeanour may have been totally friendly at that time but I would ask people to examine the description of the suspect and cast their minds back to that time.

“As always we would remind people to take care when they are on a night out, and to look after their friends,” he added.

The man is described as being in his mid to late 20s, around 5 feet 6 inches, with short, tidy brown hair, clean shaven and wearing a red shirt with white stripes on the sleeve and dark blue jeans.

Anyone who believes they may have information should contact police on 01592 251111.