Woman sexually assaulted while walking home in Dalkeith

A woman has been sexually assaulted in bushes at a car park near a former school in Dalkeith.

The 24-year-old had been out with friends and was returning home between 1.45am and 2.45am on Saturday when she was approached by a man on Newmills Road.

He began to engage her in conversation and a short time later, at the car park area of the old Dalkeith High School, she was pushed into bushes and attacked.

The suspect is described as white, between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall, wearing a dark hooded top and white trainers.

After the attack he made off towards the wastelands between Allan Terrace and the River South Esk.

Detective Inspector Keith MacKay said: "This is a very serious attack on a young woman, which has left her deeply distressed and we are doing everything we can to provide her with all the necessary support she requires.

"Despite the time that this incident took place, there were potentially a number of local residents either still awake within their properties or travelling in the area.

"I'd ask any of these individuals who believes they can assist our inquiries to contact police immediately.

"In particular, any motorists who were in the Newmills Road area during the early hours of Saturday morning and who may have dash-cam footage that captured the attack, or provides us with a more detailed description of the suspect, should also get in touch.''

Anyone with information can contact the PPU in Dalkeith via 101 and quote incident number 517 of the 16th March, or anonymously contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111