By Jonathan BarnesDETECTIVES launched an investigation last night after a teenager was raped in a house.The 18-year-old woman was attacked in Sidegate Lane in Ipswich at about 4pm yesterday.

By Jonathan Barnes

DETECTIVES launched an investigation last night after a teenager was raped in a house.

The 18-year-old woman was attacked in Sidegate Lane in Ipswich at about 4pm yesterday.

Suffolk police said she had been approached by a man in the driveway of a house, grabbed and forced into the house, where she was raped.

The rapist then fled towards a lane that runs along the back of the houses in the road.

Detectives, who were searching last night the house for clues and attempting to speak to the distressed victim, said they were in the early stages of the investigation.

The area of the attack is near two schools - Sidegate Primary School, in Sidegate Lane, and Northgate High School, in Sidegate Lane West.

Keith Herod, the borough councillor for Rushmere ward, which includes Sidegate Lane, said he was shocked by the incident.

“It surprises me to hear about this. It is a nice area to be councillor for, with a good mixture of residents,” he added.

“There is not a great deal of crime in the area and, obviously, it must be very worrying for people to hear about something like this.

“Sadly, you do hear more and more of these kind of incidents happening these days. It is very concerning.”

The rapist was described as white, aged in his 40s, with short black and grey hair and wearing a black jumper with a round neck.

Anyone with information should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

jonathan.barnes@eadt.co.uk