A woman was raped by a man claiming to be a taxi driver following a night out in Manchester’s Gay Village on Saturday.
The 43-year-old victim had enjoyed a night out on Canal Street and was leaving Bar Pop between midnight and 2am when a maroon coloured car pulled up next to her.
The driver said he was a taxi driver so she got in the back.
Once in the car, he drove her to a car park on Norton Street in Salford, pulled her from the back of the car and raped her.
Detective Inspector Debbie Oakes from the Serious Sexual Offences Unit said: “We are offering support to this woman after her ordeal and have launched an investigation into what happened.
DI Oakes also warned: “Stay together on a night out and never get into an unknown car without checking it is a licensed taxi first. If unsure, go to a taxi rank particularly if you are on your own.”
The woman described her attacker as black, with short curly hair. He had a tattoo on his hand and discolouration to his cheek.
Police are urging anybody who was out in the Canal Street area and may have seen anything to contact them.
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 6580 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Picture courtesy of Ray Forster, with thanks.
