Detectives were last night continuing to question a 19-year-old man from Pontypridd arrested in connection with a serious sexual assault on an 11-year-old Llanbradach girl.
The assault happened in Llanbradach Park, near the library, on Monday January 4 at noon and police are continuing to appeal for people in the area at the time to come forward.
The girl, who was off school through an inset day, was walking in the park when she was grabbed into some woods and attacked.
The attacker was disturbed when a woman walking her dog went to see what was going on.
Detective Superintendent Geoff Ronayne, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have had a tremendous response from the public so far.
“However we have not had many people contact us who had actually been in the park
during the period of between 8am and 2pm on Monday January 4.
“It’s a busy area that’s used as a shortcut get to other areas of Llanbradach and frequented by dog walkers.
“If you were in the area at those times, saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of the park in the last few weeks or recognise the description of the offender that we have released please contact us.
“We are looking at CCTV and forensic specialists are examining the scene. Police officers and community safety wardens are continuing to carry out high visibility police patrols.
“The serious sexual assault of an 11 year old girl is an extremely rare occurrence in Gwent and it’s members of the public who can help us solve this crime – they will know this individual so I’m urging anyone with information to come forward.”
The attacker is described as being in his teens, wearing a black hooded top with a grey or silver back on it.
He was wearing army or combat style trousers that may be camouflage or khaki, and brown shoes.
It is also believed he had a black bicycle with him, possibly a mountain bike or BMX.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.