A woman had her head smashed against a wall before being sexually assaulted in Longsight yesterday but was able to claw at her attackers face and run away.
The woman was walking along Daisybank Road just after 2.30am when she was grabbed by her hair and dragged into an alley.
The offender then smashed her head against a wall causing the woman to scream before putting his hand over her mouth and sexually assaulting her.
The victim however was able to fight back and clawed at his face causing him to stop and she was able to get away.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin, based at Longsight Police Station, said: “This was a violent assault on a woman who was walking home after a night out with friends.
“Thankfully she had the presence of mind and strength to fight off her attacker and escape before anything else could happen to her.
“The victim has long nails and we believe that she has given the man a nasty scratch on his cheek and near to his eye as she attempted to escape. I would ask anyone who has seen a man fitting this description, particularly with scratches to his face, to contact us.
“Understandably, this incident will cause concern in the local community however, we have increased patrols in the neighbourhood to offer reassurance. I would also like to urge people, particularly women, to try and avoid walking on their own at night and in the early hours of the morning. I would always advise you walk home in a group or try and get a taxi home.”
The offender is described as being 5ft 5in tall, had light coloured skin, of slim build, middle aged and wore a jumper that had red or grey circles on the arms. He had short hair, facial hair and is believed to have spoken with an eastern European accent.
It is possible the man has been scratched around his left eye towards his cheek and nose and there are also possibly three or four scratches on his right cheek.
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 4223 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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