Police appeal over BlackBerry bath attack footage circulating on BBM [UPDATED]
UPDATE:
Police have dropped the appeal after it emerges two teenage girls have already been prosecuted for the attack.
The two attackers shown in the footage, which was brought to the attention of South Wales Police this week, were in fact from Liverpool and were prosecuted and convicted of assault in November 2011.
Chloe Willingham, 17, and Kelsey Dyson, 16, appeared before Chester Crown Court where they admitted to breaking into the home of their victim and beating her up.
Following the court case, Judge Roger Dutton agreed for the girls to be named because he said the incident was so serious.
He sentenced Dyson to a two-year detention and training order but said Willingham, who was 16 at the time, had played a more serious role in the attack.
She had pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and actual bodily harm and the judge said she should face three years behind bars.
South Wales Police said today that officers were no longer investigating the assault.
“It has been confirmed that the incident took place in Liverpool and the people responsible have been dealt with by court,” a spokeswoman said.
“The press and public are thanked for their assistance.”
Police in South Wales are concerned for the welfare of a woman filmed on a BlackBerry mobile phone being subjected to “a horrendous, prolonged attack” in a bath.
The mobile phone footage was circulated on BlackBerry Messenger (BBM).
The identity of the victim and where she was is not known but footage of the assault has been distributed in the Cardiff area.
South Wales Police says officers were tipped off about the attack by a concerned parent.
The suspect has dark hair tied in a bun and appears to be wearing distinctive false eyelashes and black and white patterned ankle boots.
A second woman watches the attack and also takes part in it.
Det Insp Shane Ahmed, of Cardiff CID, said:
“In the video, this girl is being absolutely beaten in a bath.
“She is repeatedly punched, kicked, her neck is stamped on, her head is hit against the bath,” he told Cardiff-based Media Wales.
“The attack appears to continue after she falls unconscious, with bathroom detergents poured over her,” he said.
“It is a horrendous, prolonged attack and it is made even more worrying by the fact that we don’t know who the victim is, where the attack has taken place or even if she is alive and breathing now.
‘Identify the victim’
“We can tell from the labels on the products in the bathroom that this appears to have taken place somewhere in the UK, and we have contacted other forces to make them aware.
“Our priority is to identify the victim and ensure her welfare.”
The video has been distributed via mobiles in the last 24 hours, added Mr Ahmed.
A 16-year-old girl arrested in connection with the incident has been released, a police spokesman said, adding:
“It has been established that she is not one of the females in the footage and therefore no further action will be taken against her.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cardiff CID on 029 2052 7420 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
