Detectives investigating the attempted murder and serious sexual assault of a woman in Leeds have released further details about the incident.
The victim, an 18-year-old woman, was attacked by a man as she waited at a bus stop in Beeston Road, near to the junction with Tempest Road, on Friday night (6 March 2015).
At about 10:52pm, officers were called to a report of the woman who had been found with head injuries.
She was taken to hospital where she was also found to have suffered serious hip injuries.
Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said:
“The victim is still recovering in hospital after being subjected to a very violent physical assault and a repeated serious sexual assault.
“Her injuries are serious but thankfully not life threatening and she has been left very badly traumatised by the ordeal.
“Specialist officers are working with her to support her and to elicit as much information as we can to assist with the investigation.
“The offence has been captured on CCTV and while the footage is not of sufficient quality to identify the suspect as it stands, it clearly shows the very disturbing circumstances of the offence.
“The victim is seen being carried away a short distance while struggling against her attacker who takes her into a nearby garden. He can then be seen striking her over the head numerous times with a blunt object that we believe to have been a large stone.
“At this point we believe the suspect is of Pakistani or Middle Eastern origin. It is possible that the suspect could be somebody who is from abroad and has recently come to the country. They may be staying locally in a bedsit or hostel and I would like to hear from anyone who runs such premises who thinks they know who it might be.”
The suspect was described as Asian or Middle Eastern, aged in his early twenties, slim, with receding black hair. He was dark clothing and possibly a light blue coat.
Shortly after the incident a man was seen running along Beeston Road and onto Parkfield Avenue.
Det Supt Wallen added: “We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have seen the suspect in the area at any time that evening. If you were the person seen running we would like you to come forward.
“We would also like to trace a potential witness – a woman who was seen standing at the bus stop before the incident before getting on either a number 1 or number 74 bus.
“This was a shocking incident which is unprecedented both for this area and for Leeds as whole. However I appreciate it will understandably cause people in the community a good deal of concern.
“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have been carrying out increased patrols in the area and those will be continuing as part of our efforts to provide visible reassurance to the community. They will also be working closely with key contacts in the community to keep people informed as the investigation progresses.”
Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
