Three men wanted by police after teenager raped Published duration 16 April 2015

Police are searching for three men after a teenager was raped in Ayrshire in the early hours of Saturday.

Officers say the 16-year-old girl was walking home in Kilmarnock with the three men when one of the men attacked her.

Following the assault, the man joined the other two men who were walking towards the town centre.

Det Insp Stevie Wallace described the incident as "a horrendous ordeal for a young woman".

Police Scotland said the attack took place at about 02:00 on Saturday, in the archway close to John Finnie Street and Nelson Street, after the girl and the three men had been walking along Nelson Street.

The teenager reported the incident to police a few days later.

'Extremely rare'

Det Insp Stevie Wallace, of Kilmarnock CID, said: "This was a horrendous ordeal for a young woman to have to experience and it is critical that we trace this man as soon as possible.

"I would like to reassure the community that our officers are doing everything they can to find the person responsible. Incidents like this are extremely rare in our town.

"However we need help from members of the public who may have vital information to assist with the investigation.

"I ask that anyone who might recognise the suspect description or the other two men gets in touch with any information.

"It's possible they may have been out and about in Kilmarnock town centre earlier on in the night, hailed a taxi on John Finnie Street on their way home or attended at fast food takeaway shops later in the evening.

"I would also urge anyone who was in the surrounding area around that time who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact police.

"Officers are currently at the scene. Available CCTV is being analysed and we are also conducting door-to-door inquiries in the area. Extra patrols will be present in the area during the inquiry."

Update 10 July: Police Scotland said that, following an investigation, it had been established that no crime had been committed. The force said its inquiries were complete.