GEORGE TOWN: The parents of a 17-year-old schoolgirl who reported to police in September that she was raped and beaten by a male friend are worried as the suspect is still walking around free.

The 17-year-old's father said his daughter had met the suspect, who is in his 20s, through a mutual friend about six months ago. He said the man had taken her out on dates and given her gifts.

He discovered later that the man had taken his daughter to a hotel and raped her. The father said the man continued to harass his daughter after that, waiting for her after school, threatening her and stopping her to assault her further.

The family has lodged four police reports -- on Sept 25 about the rape and on Oct 9, last Friday and last Monday over the threats and assaults.

"I hope the police will start taking our reports seriously."

Acting Northeast District police chief Superintendent Gan Kong Meng said there was a brief delay as the suspect could not be located.