Teddington sex assault: 'Boys at traveller funeral launch horrific sex attack on girl aged 11'

The incident happened at Teddington Cemetery, police said
Robin de Peyer25 October 2016
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Three young boys sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl during a funeral for a traveller in west London, police said.

The trio are said to have kissed the victim before launching the sex assault while a service was taking place at Teddington Cemetery.

The "distressing" attack was halted only when a man who was cycling through the cemetery shouted at the boys to stop. They then fled the scene.

The victim, who had been with a friend who fled when the pair were approached by the boys, then reported the attack to her parents.

Police were then called, and say the three boys are believed to have been attending the funeral when the incident happened at about 3.30pm last Thursday.

Officers said they now want to speak to the man who intervened as well as trace the boys, who are white, with "blue shiny suits" and are all believed to be under the age of 10.

They said the boys are thought to have been at the cemetery for a funeral attended by "members of the travelling community".

PC Jamie Oprey, of Richmond CID, said: "The victim has been left extremely distressed by this attack which took place in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the cemetery at the time of the incident and could help us identify the boys responsible.

"I am also keen to speak to the man on the bicycle who intervened and stopped the attack - his information could prove invaluable in helping to find these boys."

Teddington Cemetery is Grade-II listed. It contains 70 Commonwealth service personnel, 42 from the First World War and 28 from WW2.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond CID on 020 8721 5930 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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