TEENAGER IN STAG PARTY SEX ATTACK NIGHTMARE; Girl's ordeal in pub toilets.

Byline: MARIE SHARP

A WOULD-BE rapist out on a stag night subjected a girl to a five- minute sex attack in a pub toilet.

The 17-year-old victim was only saved when a cleaner walked in as he pinned her against a wall. The man fled.

The teenager was attacked after she and friends were plied with drink by the rowdy party in an Edinburgh pub.

Last night, police were hunting the attacker, who is believed to have travelled to the capital from Glasgow for the night out.

The incident happened in the Black Bull, in Edinburgh's Grassmarket, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The teenager, who had travelled to the city to visit friends from her home in Ireland, was enjoying a night out when she and her pals were invited to join the 15-strong stag party.

The group, some carrying handcuffs and wearing signs declaring themselves a "Sex God" or "Red Hot Lover", were described as "boisterous" by bar staff.

The two groups remained together until around 1.30am, when the victim accompanied one of the stag party members to the pub toilets - where the mood turned ugly.

Detective Sergeant Keith Hardie, who is leading the hunt for the man, said last night the man had been "charming" his victim right up until the moment he pounced.

The girl was pinned against a wall and subjected to a five-minute sex attack by the man before a cleaner walked in and confronted him.

As he made his getaway, the terrified girl ran to tell her friends what happened. But by the time they had alerted a passing police officer, the party had moved on.

The teenage girl was said to have been extremely distressed by the attack, but escaped serious injury.

Yesterday, Lothian and Borders Police said they were busy tracking down the man - and his pals.

Mr Hardie said: "It is possible fellow members of the stag party did not even realise what had happened in the toilets and are unaware of what this man did.

"The attacker had been perfectly charming and the young woman was completely unprepared for the sudden change in his behaviour."

A police spokeswoman said pub bosses also faced an investigation over the possibility of underage drinking.

The attacker is described as white, aged 24, of medium build, with a broad Scottish accent and short, spiky, dark brown hair.

He was wearing a white shirt with red stripes and white trousers.

Police are appealing for anyone who has information about the incident to contact them.

The spokeswoman said: "The young woman was considerably distressed and frightened by the incident.

"We want anyone who was in the pub at the time and has information about the incident or the stag party involved to contact us."

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