Police reveal e-fit in hunt for Manchester city centre sex attacker
The digital image of a man wanted in connection with a knifepoint sexual assault on a woman in Manchester city centre was released by police today.
The incident happened at about 2.45am on August 5 on Great Bridgewater Street in the city centre.
The woman, 27, was on a night out with her friends but became detached from the group.
As she walked to the top of Canal Street she noticed a black man close to the canal, who followed her along Portland Street.
When she got to the Rain Bar the offender shouted to attract her attention and then produced a flick knife, grabbing her by the wrist and leading her down an alleyway at the side of the bar.
She was then sexually assaulted while the offender continued to hold the knife to her neck, and was only distracted by a passing car which prompted the man to run off.
The victim then contacted police.
The man is described as being black, in his late 20s, about 5ft 7in tall and of an athletic build.
He was said to have a flat nose, a thin moustache and some facial hair on his chin, and a gold tooth to the right side of his mouth.
He was wearing a black baseball cap, a purple-hooded top and dark trousers.
Detective Inspector Mark Roters, of North Manchester CID, said: "Thanks to the technology available to us and the skill of our artists we are able to produce very realistic digital images of offenders that can be every bit as good as photographs or clear CCTV images.
“This image is clear and lifelike and I am hoping someone will see it and recognise someone they know.
“This was a frightening sex assault on a lone woman at knifepoint and it is important we find the person responsible.
“I would therefore urge the community to share this image with as many people as they can and if anyone thinks they know the person depicted please get in touch.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101, north Manchester CID on 0161 856 3127 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.
St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical after care service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault.
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Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.
Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused.
Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500.
Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.
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