A TEENAGER raped in the wood by a stranger is ‘rebuilding her life’ as police launch a fresh appeal to find the attacker.

It was around 5.30pm on September 11, 2014 when the victim was approached by a man in Thornwood Common, Epping.

He asked if she would help him find his dog, then led her to a secluded spot and raped her.

Two years later the girl told police of the crime, sparking an investigation by the Adult Sexual Investigation Team that has so far unearthed no suspects.

Nearly four years after the brutal attack the teenager’s family have spoken of its impact, in the hope it will encourage those with information to come forward.

“She used to be so happy, carefree and open,” her mother wrote.

“Then she became withdrawn. Spending more and more time alone. She was angry with everyone and everything.

“Most of her anger was directed at herself. She was cutting herself. Keeping a collection of blades hidden around her belongings.”

The family tried hard to make sure she was not alone and was supported by counsellors before the teenager spoke of the attack.

Her mother continued: “So many emotions flooded over me: horror, fear, sadness anger, but most of all, guilt.

“As I mum I failed to protect her and she had dealt with the weight alone for years. I should have known.

“I wanted to scoop her up and stop her hurt. Restore her stolen innocence.”

As the family rebuild their lives and an ‘amazing, wonderful, strong daughter’ fights through occasional panic attacks and periods of ‘overwhelming sadness’, the rapist remains at large.

On Monday (April 23) Essex Police reissued an e-fit of the attacker, described as having slicked back brown, greying hair in a comb over, a bump on his nose and thin lips with a mole either side.

He was wearing a padded winter jacket similar to the one worn by Marty McFly in ‘Back to the Future’ which was either navy blue or black.

He had an English accent and smelt strongly of cat urine.

Detective Inspect Mark Barber said: “We are renewing our appeal because we believe there is someone out there who either knows the suspect or has information about his whereabouts, or believes they may have crossed paths with him.

“As with all investigations, we remain open minded, however we do now believe there is a strong possibility that this person was passing through the county or may have left the area.

“This is likely to have been an opportunistic attack, nonetheless, it has the hallmarks of an individual who had given thought to how he could trick a victim of such a young age, and it may not have been the first time he had employed this tactic in order to offend.

“Please contact us if you recognise the man in the e-fit, saw something out of place in the area on the day, or believe you have information which could help us identify this person."

If you have information relating to this incident, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.