THE man leading the investigation into the brutal rape of a 10-year-old girl at Ashford believes police are closing in on her attacker. DCI Colin Murray revealed the enquiry team was awaiting key forensic evidence which would form a major part of the case against the culprit.

Mr Murray said: "There are forensic issues being worked on, but the process takes time." The DCI was speaking as police continued to conduct road checks on the Stanhope estate where the attack took place.

Mr Murray thinks the forensic clues and information from the public will reveal the identity of the attacker.

The girl was snatched from outside the Ray Allen Centre at about 9pm on November 15 and raped and beaten before being left on a footpath close to Millbank Road. Mr Murray said: "We want to speak to people who drove past from 5pm onwards. If one person out of every hundred saw the offender then the road checks have been worthwhile. It's a busy road and I am confident something will come from it."

Mr Murray said the investigation was progressing well. "We're as pleased as we can be," he added. "Of course we would like to have caught him, but we are getting closer as the days progress. We are worried the attacker will re-offend and we need to catch him before it happens. There is a dedicated team on this case and there is a determination to catch him."

The rapist is described as white, aged 25 to 35, between 5ft 5in and 5ft 9in tall, of small build, with short brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue jumper or fleece, with dark trainers and at the time of the assault had stubble on his face and smelt strongly of alcohol.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone 01622 654850.