Double sexual assault in Ashton sparks police appeal to trace attacker

By Natalie Lewis

The sexual assault of two women in Ashton under Lyne last week has sparked a police appeal for help in tracing the attacker.

Police have released an efit of the man believed to be responsible for the aggressive sexual assault of a 24 and 19 year old woman in Ashton under Lyne town centre last Monday.

Both women were clothes shopping at the time of the attack and the 19-year-old woman was bending down to retrieve an item when the man approached her from behind.

He sexually assaulted her in an aggressive manner kissing and licking her neck as he did this.

Managing to break free she was approached by the 24-year-old woman who had seen the attack and come to her aid.

The assailant then shouted abuse at his second victim, pushed her against a shop counter and sexually assaulted her.

The victims have both been left traumatised by the event and the 24-year-old woman has bruising to her ribcage.

The man is asian and described as approximately 18 years old, roughly 5ft 10in tall and of slim build.

He has short dark hair gelled forward, brown eyes and was wearing thick rimmed square glasses.

He is described as having a baby face with smooth skin, was clean shaven and was wearing a black sports coat with a black hood.

Police Constable Chris Wharmby from Ashton town centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “These assaults were carried out on two innocent and unsuspecting women in the middle of the day, when there were likely to be a lot of people around in the town centre.

“If you recognise the man responsible for these attacks, then please get in touch with us. We want to identify this offender as quickly as possible so we can take him off our streets.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ashton Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 4090 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.