Mother overhears her daughter, 15, being raped at knifepoint as she calls her mobile during attack

Knife believed used by suspected rapist

A mother overheard her 15-year-old daughter being raped when she called her during the horrific ordeal, it was revealed today.

The teenager was attacked in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, and threatened with a four-inch kitchen knife.

And her mother heard the attack when she called her mobile phone because she was concerned when her daughter hadn't returned home.

After hearing the rapist's voice over the phone, she called the police.

A five-day manhunt is currently underway to find the attacker, who struck on Tuesday at about 8.30pm, while the victim's auntie has begged for help to find her niece's rapist.

The 42-year-old said: 'Her mum rang her daughter and she could hear his voice in the background, she didn't know where she was or what was happening.

'We just want him caught, so if anyone saw anything suspicious or anyone hanging around the area, please tell the police.'

The man, thought to be in his late teens, marched the girl on to a grassed area between Park Close and Gloucester Terrace, in Newcastle, where he raped her.

After the attack, the terrified teenager got into a taxi and asked to be taken home.

As she travelled, she telephoned her mum and said she had been robbed, but in a later conversation, revealed she had been raped.

The girl's aunt said: 'My sister is absolutely devastated.

'She just keeps blaming herself and feels so guilty. But she was just walking to an event.

'She wasn't drinking on the street like a lot of 15-year-olds do. She should have been safe.'

Police have since found the wooden-handled kitchen knife used by the rapist at the scene.

And officers have now released CCTV images of the suspect who was caught on camera moments before the attack.

They describe the attacker as a man in his late teens, about 5ft 8ins tall, with dark skin and slim build, and wearing a black leather jacket and a black fleece hat.

Specially trained police officers have been working with the victim since the attack.

Her aunt added: 'She is coping. But she doesn't realise the severity of what's happened to her because she's only 15.'

Police have stepped up patrols in Elswick as the rapist remains at large, and are still appealing for witnesses.

Detectives would particularly like to hear from a member of the public who they think may have seen the offender and the victim at the scene and may have mistaken them for a couple.

Northumbria Police Detective Chief Inspector Gary Hetherington, who is leading the investigation, said his team will not rest until the rapist is caught.

He said: 'We have a dedicated team of officers and staff working on this investigation, using every tool at our disposal to catch the rapist.

'We are studying extensive CCTV footage, undertaking forensic tests and working with the family and local community.

'Although most people will now be looking forward to a Christmas off work, our team will remain fully resourced and staffed until this crime is solved.

'This was a particularly nasty offence, all the more so because of how unusual it is, and I would like to again reassure the community we have extra officers on patrol.'

Anyone with any information should call Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers may offer a reward for information which leads to an arrest and charge.

• Police on Sunday arrested a 19-year-old man.

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