Teenager held over leisure centre rape

A teenager was arrested by police investigating the rape of a 12-year-old girl in changing rooms, a force spokeswoman said today.

Northumbria Police said a 17-year-old was held for questioning on suspicion of rape then bailed pending further inquiries following the attack at Temple Park Leisure Centre, South Shields, South Tyneside last month.

The girl told police she met a youth aged about 15 on a bus and they walked together to the centre on John Reid Road, where the incident took place between 2.35pm and 2.45pm on December 9.

Northumbria Police only released details of the rape earlier this week.