By Craig Smith

DETECTIVES in Fife have insisted that police and community co-operation will catch whoever was responsible for the brutal rape of a woman near Thornton on Hogmanay.

Officers spent yesterday afternoon stopping vehicles on the outskirts of the village, near where the incident took place, as the hunt for the three men responsible stepped up another gear.

The attack took place some time between 2 and 4pm on December 31, when the woman was walking in the pond area of the disused Orebank Quarry on the south side of Thornton.

More than five weeks on, police are using every tactic available to them in a bid to close the net on the culprits.

Detective Chief Inspector David Hardie, who is leading the investigation, said police had received a good response but admitted that it “could be better.”

“It’s the police working together with the community that will solve this and, no matter how insignificant it will be, any small piece of information could be crucial to this extensive inquiry,” he said.

“I should stress that whilst we have traced and eliminated a number of local men, we are still anxious to speak to a number of individuals and to hear from members of the public who may not have come forward.

“This stopover initiative is to try and identify any witnesses who may have passed through the village or who were near the quarry on the 31st.

“We’re just trying to jog memories and asking people to cast their minds back to December 31—were they in Main Street, Thornton, near to the railway station, near to the pond or Balbeggie Avenue?

“Did they get off a train in the afternoon or know someone who did?

“Did they see any vehicles stopped or parked near to the railway station or on Balbeggie Avenue?

“Did they see any person on his own or in a group, or do they walk their dog in the area of the pond or know someone who does?

“Someone out there has to know the identity of the three people responsible and it’s important that they come forward—their telephone calls will be treated with the strictest confidence.”

Police have previously issued descriptions of the three men responsible, one of whom had been riding a dark mountain bike.

The first is described as being aged between 25 and 30, about 5ft 10in, of slim build with blonde or mousy brown, collar length, straight hair.

The man, who spoke with a local accent, had around a day’s growth of facial hair and was wearing a black or grey checked polo shirt, black combat-style trousers and a black jacket.

The second man is said to have been aged between 20 and 25, around 5ft 4in, of slim build with very short dark hair, dark bushy eyebrows and deep-set dark eyes.

He also spoke with a local accent and wore a khaki shirt and blue jeans.

The third man, who was riding the mountain bike, was wearing a black tammy, jacket and possibly gloves.

Police are anxious to trace three men who were seen walking near the Stenton area of Glenrothes, in the direction of Thornton, on December 31, or anyone who may have been out on a pony and trap in the area.

Police are similarly keen to hear from anyone who may have used a train departing from or arriving at the village railway station that day.

Mr Hardie also stressed police were still looking to hear from the occupants of a silver car which dropped someone off near the station on the afternoon in question.

“We think he may have been returning from work because of the satchel he had with him,” he added.

“Obviously the time frame, between 2-4pm on December 31, is important to us but we’re trying to identify anyone who may have information to help our inquiries.”

Police have carried out a leaflet and questionnaire drop to every home in the village, with officers stressing there will be a continued police presence in the area to reassure locals.

Anyone who has any information should contact 01592 251111, or visit an incident bus which has been set up in the village.