Girl, 17, victim of sex assault

A teenage girl has been seriously sexually assaulted on a canal towpath in Wednesbury, police revealed today.

The 17-year-old girl was attacked between 8pm and 9pm last night on the towpath off Carisbrooke Road in the town.

There is no description of the male attacker at present, but police believe a small group of youths were in the area at the time and may have seen something.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "The victim, a 17 year old woman was walking along the towpath, when she was the victim of a serious sexual assault.

"The offender was a male, there is no further description of him available at present."

Officers, who have not revealed whether the woman was raped, are appealing for any witnesses.

Anyone with information, particularly the small group of youths who are believed to have been in the area at the time, are urged to speak to detectives on 0845 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.