Boy, 8, sexually assaulted at Loch Ness campsite was sleeping on his own in tent just yards from parents
The sickening attack happened at Loch Ness Bay Campsite in Drumnadrochit between 12.20am and 1am on Thursday, July 31.
Cops probing the sexual assault of an eight-year-old boy have confirmed that he was sleeping in a tent on his own when he was attacked.
The youngster, who was part of a family of tourists visiting the Highlands from Europe, was preyed on while his parents slept in the tent next to him. The sickening attack happened at the Loch Ness Bay Campsite in Drumnadrochit between 12.20am and 1am on Thursday, July 31.
The senior officer leading the probe spoke of the horrifying incident at a press conference at Inverness Police Station on Friday afternoon. It comes after police launched a manhunt following the attack.
Officers from Police Scotland say a man approached the child within his tent before sexually assaulting him and leaving the area.
Specialist officers have been drafted in to support the boy and traumatised loved ones and police, who want to protect the identity of the victim, have now confirmed he was part of a group visiting the area from Europe. It's understood the victim and his family have now left the campsite.
A relative of the child who was sleeping in another tent saw the suspect leaving the area and gave a description to police. Detectives are desperately trying to trace the male suspect who they have described as a white man, aged between 35-50-years-old.
He is around 5ft 10ins tall and bald. Officers swarmed the popular campsite on Thursday as they promised extra patrols in an attempt to reassure the local community. Police have been pouring through CCTV footage and say they are carrying out enquiries in the local area.
Senior detectives have appealed to campers for help and asked anyone who saw something suspicious to get in touch. They have described their investigation as "significant" into what they say will be a "worrying and upsetting" incident for residents.
Detective Superintendent Callum Smith reassured the public that the force has “extensive enquiries ongoing”.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Judy Hill urged any members of the public with concerns over safety to come forward and speak to police. She also stressed that incidents of this nature are “very rare” and said that additional patrols have been deployed to the area.
Detective Inspector Christopher Macleod previously said: “This sexual assault was carried out on a young boy who was camping overnight with his family.
“It is vital we trace the man responsible as soon as possible. I would urge anyone in the Drumnadrochit area to come forward. Any piece of information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could prove vital.
“Please think back – do you recognise anyone who matches the description of the suspect?
“Or did you see anyone behaving in a strange manner, giving cause for concern, or loitering in the area?
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who was driving in the area around the time of the incident and may have dashcam footage, or who has seen something suspicious.”