A 19-year-old student was dragged into an alley and raped during a ‘harrowing’ attack as she walked home from a night out in Manchester city centre.
The attack took place around 3.40am on Saturday October 25, when the victim was walking down Ladybarn Lane in Fallowfield.
She was approached by a man who offered to walk her home but despite rejecting the offer the man perused her before dragging her down the alleyway between Whitby Road and Filey Road, where he made sexual advances before finally raping the student.
Detective Inspector Simpson, of the Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “This was a harrowing and deeply distressing attack for the young woman.
“Support is being given by specially-trained officers and we will continue to offer whatever assistance she and her family need in the coming days and weeks.”
The offender has been described as black or Asian, around 5ft 9in tall, clean shaven with a slim build and very short black hair.
On the morning of the incident he was wearing baggy blue or grey jeans and a long-sleeved top.
Greater Manchester police are appealing to anyone who might have information about the incident, especially those who may have heard a woman scream or seen someone matching the man’s description in the area around the time of the assault.
Detective Inspector Simpson added: “The attack will obviously raise concerns in the community and especially among the student community and I would like to assure the public that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that we catch this man as quickly as possible.
“However, that process will be made all the quicker if we receive some help and assistance from the public, and in particular anyone who may have seen someone matching the above description in the area at the time of the attack.
“We will also be increasing patrols in this area over the coming days and weeks to provide a visible reassurance on the ground for residents.”
Anyone with any information should call the police on 101, the Serious Sexual Offences Unit on 0161 856 1945 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks
