"After the attack I went home. It was difficult at first because I didn't start remembering things till a couple of days later. I blacked it out.

"Finally I managed to give the police a description. I gave them what details I could and I remember telling them he looked as though he had been smacked in the face with a shovel."

A month later the girl was told the police were hoping to stage an identity parade, but were having difficulty finding people to go on it.

"The parade eventually happened towards the end of January. In all I had to wait 61 days for this identity parade.

"It was spooky on the day. They took me to the room and showed me it. It had a viewing area through which I could see them, but they couldn't see me. The policeman proved it to me by taking me into the room. We were having a cuppa while we were waiting. I started getting very nervous.

"We then found out they were going to wear hats. My mum was with me and she found out from the police he had done something to his hair. When I went in I knew I had no chance at all. They all had woolly hats on, more or less pulled over their eyes and ears. I didn't pick anyone out."

The family say they have been told no further action is being taken. Added the girl: "I feel really scared. I don't know what he looks like. He is still out there. Victims like me have to cope with the problems. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. Yet men like him are free to carry on doing evil things."

Last week, after being told she could collect the clothes she was wearing on the day of the attack, the girl talked with one of her school teachers.

"She was really nice and helped me put the petition together. I'm told there's one up in the staff room.

"If there is one good thing which could come out of this it is a change in the law."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.