TWO key witnesses in the hunt for a rapist who attacked a teenager in her own home have spoken of the community's shock -- and called for help to catch the attacker.
The Great Harwood couple's comments came as police staged a reconstruction in a bid to find the vital breakthrough in the case with PC Laura Swarbrick, 25, of Accrington, playing the part of the victim.
Detectives retraced the events leading up to the crime to try to jog the memories of potential witnesses focusing on the steps of the girl, 18, as she returned to her home in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, at about 9pm on Saturday, January 19.
The couple, who have asked not to be named, followed the attack victim as she left work in the town centre and walked down Blackburn Road towards the Lidgett pub.
As they passed St Hubert's Road they saw a man start walking behind the girl. As he neared the Lidgett pub he stopped to use a mobile phone but was not seen again.
The woman, who lives in Great Harwood, said: "We had been for a few drinks in town and were walking to the Lidgett to meet some friends when the man came between us and the girl. When we went into the pub we expected to see him come in after us but he never appeared.
"It never occurred to us there was anything sinister about him until the next day when we heard what had happened.
"The whole community here which is quite tight-knit has been absolutely devastated by this. We won't let our daughter out on her own. We just want to do anything we can help the police catch this man."
Police described the man seen following the victim as white, in his 20s or early 30s, with several days' beard growth. He was wearing a white baseball cap and a dark jacket with the word Umbro on the back.
Police are still following up a number of leads from roadblocks held in Great Harwood three weeks ago and say they are also keen to speak to a man seen near the scene of the crime several times before the attack.
Det Insp Neil Hunter said a witness had seen the man, described as white, 27-32 years, dark complexion, with dark brown shaved hair, wearing a black waist-length jacket, standing by a fence near the victim's house.
Det Insp Hunter also appealed for anyone who may have suspicions about a friend or partner to call police or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
He said: "If anybody has the smallest piece of information we would urge them to get in touch. It may seem insignificant to them, but could prove to be the missing piece of the jigsaw."
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