POLICE investigating the rape of a teenager in her home are to hold a reconstruction in a bid to find the vital breakthrough in the case.
Detectives have taken the move two weeks after the victim appealed to local people: "Help catch this monster."
Tonight's reconstruction, exactly a month after the attack, will focus on the steps of the girl as she returned to her home in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, at about 9pm on Saturday, January 19, to try to jog the memories of potential witnesses.
The role of the victim will be taken by an Accrington PC, Lisa Swarbrick, and the reconstruction comes three weeks after officers held roadblocks in the area around the attack.
A couple who spotted a man who could hold the key to solving the crime will also take part in the reconstruction. The man will be played by a policeman.
The woman was attacked by a man who knocked on the front door and forced his way into her home.
Police are concentrating on trying to trace a man seen by the couple appearing from the direction of St Hubert's Road and following the girl. As he neared the Lidgett pub he stopped to use a mobile phone but was not seen again.
Police described him 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.
Officers are also anxious to speak to any women who may have suspicions about a husband, boyfriend or loved one who may be taking a keen interest in the case.
Det Insp Charlie Lemmon said: "Obviously we are very keen to speak to the man with the phone. We think he might have information that could help us and we are hoping that after tonight's reconstruction he will come forward."
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 another man seen near the scene of the crime wearing a distinctive dark puffa jacket.
The woman -- who was attacked just two days after celebrating her 18th birthday -- is too traumatised to go back to the house where she was born and brought up.
She also says she cannot go out alone or sleep at night and often suffers nightmares.
Speaking two weeks after the attack, she said: "I desperately want to help the police catch this monster for myself and to stop him doing something like this to someone else."
Anyone with information should ring 01254 51212 or 0800 555111.
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