A BOLTON teenager was raped by a smooth-talking fiend after she enjoyed a night out with friends. The 17-year-old was dragged into a back alley in Cook Street, Leigh, and attacked by a man whose advances she had earlier spurned in a town centre pub. Today Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hilton, leading the hunt for the rapist, told the BEN: "This man is a menace to women and must be caught before he strikes again."

The Bolton girl was first approached by her attacker in the Spinning Jenny pub, Spinning Jenny Way, Leigh, while she enjoyed a drink with friends on Sunday night.

Police, releasing details about the incident for the first time today, say the man, in his late teens or early 20s, invited the teenager to a party, but she refused.

Outside a nearby takeaway, the rapist, who had a local accent, approached the girl again and persuaded her to "go for a walk" while her friends ordered food. The teenager, who was left "devastated" and has received counselling since the attack, was led along Twist Lane into Cook Street where she was dragged down an alley and raped.

Chief inspector Hilton added: "This man was very smooth-talking and very persistent. We would appeal to the public for as much information as possible before another girl is attacked."

The rapist was white, clean shaven and had short, dark hair brushed forward using gel. He wore a light blue denim jacket, white polo shirt with a royal blue panel and dark trousers.

Police are also keen to speak to a black man with short dreadlocks who was drinking with the rapist in the Spinning Jenny pub.

Anyone with information can call Leigh CID on 0161 872 5050.

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