Girl, 14, gang-raped by teenagers under pier

A girl of 14 was gang-raped by three youths under Bournemouth pier on Saturday night, police said yesterday. The assault took place as holidaymakers walked near by.

The victim, who is from Bournemouth, was believed to have befriended her attackers hours before the assault. But as the group was walking along the beach shortly after 10.30pm the teenagers overpowered the girl and raped her.

Detective Sergeant Tony Cox, of Dorset Police, said passers-by heard the girl's terrified screams for help. "There were a lot of people about on the beach and many of them saw what was going on," Det Sgt Cox said. "Some of them intervened and tried to put a stop to it."

He said the schoolgirl was recovering at home and was "as well as can be expected".

Three 17-year-olds have been arrested by detectives investigating the rape. They are being questioned at Bournemouth police station. Police appealed for anyone who witnessed the attack to contact them.