Rings could hold clues to Doncaster rape case

Detectives believe rings prised from the fingers of a Doncaster rape victim could hold clues to finding her brutal attackers.
Police tape across the rear access of houses in Lister Avenue in Balby, Doncaster as they investigate a suspected rape 
Picture by Dean AtkinsPolice tape across the rear access of houses in Lister Avenue in Balby, Doncaster as they investigate a suspected rape 
Picture by Dean Atkins
Police tape across the rear access of houses in Lister Avenue in Balby, Doncaster as they investigate a suspected rape Picture by Dean Atkins

Police have been told by the woman how she was attacked at knifepoint by a gang of three men as she returned home on Saturday night near Queen Street, Balby.

The woman, aged in her 40s, was pushed to the floor and had nine rings prised off her fingers, suffering a head injury which needed hospital treatment.

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Det Sgt Kevin Britten said the victim has been through a truly awful experience.

He believes the men involved in the attack will have been seen by someone after looking at CCTV pictures.

He said: “We know there were a number of people in the area around the time of the incident, with many returning from a local night out.

“Following work by specialist officers, who have been supporting the victim and helping to retrace her steps, we now believe the attack has occurred in an alleyway in the Queen Street area.

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“From CCTV we see the victim walk off Balby Road and turn down Queen Street just after 11pm.

“At the junction she is then seen to turn right into a cul-de-sac and that is the last we see until the victim reports the attack around 30 minutes later to a member of the public in Balby Road.

“During the incident the victim was raped and had nine rings, including her mother’s wedding and engagement rings, prised off her fingers. A distinctive gold belcher type locket was also taken.

“This contained a picture of the victim as a 15-year-old and a faded picture of her father. Are you a jeweller and have you been offered this for sale?

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“This was a brutal attack where the victim was pushed to the floor and kicked, sustaining a head injury which required hospital treatment. The men responsible need to be identified and arrested. If you were in the area on Saturday night, please come forward and speak to us.

“You may not believe that you’ve seen anything relevant to the investigation, but please let us be the judge of that. What you can recall from your walk home on Saturday night could be the key to unlocking this investigation.

“I know this incident has caused understandable concern to those living and working locally and I would like to reassure people that incidents of this nature are thankfully rare.”

Call police on 101 quoting incident 1224 of Saturday, February 20.