A MOTHER yesterday described the man who raped her teenage daughter as evil and callous.

Police renewed their appeals for help to track down the rapist, who is still on the loose 12 months after he struck.

The mother of the 16-year-old victim said: "We are totally convinced there is someone out there who knows who this man is.

"He does not deserve protection. He needs to be locked away so that he cannot do this to somebody else.

"He must be a sick, evil, callous person to be able to target such an obviously young girl."

The attack happened near the junction of the A1231 and Parkway at Washington Old Village, Wearside, at 8.30pm on Tuesday, July 22, last year.

The teenager was walking along the road when a man dragged her into bushes and raped her.

She was threatened with a knife, which left scratch marks on her throat.

Her mother said: "She has proved how strong she is since this happened last year but, obviously, she is still very traumatised.

"She was a very independent girl and liked to go out and about and do things. That has changed totally.

"Now, she is unable to go anywhere on her own.

"She had planned to go to college but found she just could not cope with travelling on her own on public transport so had to change her plans.

"For a long time she could not stay at home by herself. She feels unsafe that the person is still out there at large."

Detective Sergeant Peter Bent, who is leading the investigation, said 500 house-to-house inquiries had been conducted, more than 350 statements taken and 275 people interviewed countrywide.

He said: "This young woman has bravely managed to help officers by identifying the clothing her attacker was wearing and giving us information which allowed us to compose an artist's impression of the man.

"Specialist detectives continue to support the victim and her family in their recovery process, but the help they really need is for police to arrest the man responsible to enable them to start to move forward."

The rapist was described as aged about 40, 6ft, and of medium build.

He wore a blue baseball cap, a green cagoule or rainjacket, blue jeans and brown shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-454 7555, extension 66401.