Basildon: Rape Victim Speaks Out

A woman who was raped in Basildon says the attack has ruined her life.

'Michelle' - which is not her real name - had been at a friend's house on Clay Hill near the Owl and the Pussycat pub. 

November 20, 2012. Following an argument she left and, deciding she was too mad to go back, tried to flag down a taxi for directions: "I don't know the way because I've only just moved there. 

"None of them stopped, probably because they could see I was drunk. A silver car pulled up, I asked the man fro directions and he said he lived near there so he'll take me home. 

"We drove up past Pitsea Tescos, pulled up into a layby in Pitsea and he raped me." 

She says the man then ordered her to get out the car and she ran away to a nearby alley until the car had gone. She then went to get help. 'Michelle' says the days after the attack were a "nightmare": "It was my 21st birthday the next day so it's ruined everything. 

"One of my close friends took me to my mum's house because I just wanted to be with my mum. "It's ruined my whole life since then. I can't do anything, I can't go anywhere on my own. 

"When I need to go to my best friend's house, I have to get her mum to come and get me and take me there, or make sure someone's with me when I go to the shops because I can't go anywhere on my own. I'm too scared." 

Leading the hunt for the rapist is Investigating Officer DI Mark Tyler. He said: "This was a particularly horrendous and vile assault on a defenceless woman. Any rape is brutal and savage, but what makes this particularly nasty is not only the age of the victim, but also the nature and voracity of the attack. 

"We're confident that the local community holds the key to identifying this man and we believe this because we think he lives locally as he knew the local road network layout. Michelle's family is devastated. We have not had a great response from local people. In fact, we have only taken 10 calls into the incident room. 

"This is disappointing. We would ask that people cast their minds back to the early hours of that Tuesday morning and if they were in the Partridge Green area then they should call us. Furthermore, this efit is distinctive and unique. We ask that people take a good look at it and contact us with a name. 

"We don't want him to strike again. It could be your daughter or partner next. To the rapist, we would say - everyone has heard what you've done. You know what you've done." 

The man is described as white, is in his late 30s or early 40s, has very pale skin, spoke in broken English with a strong accent and has mousey-blonde short-cropped hair that is greying. He also has a bulbous nose and large, long hands. 

At the time, he was wearing a light hoodie and cotton trousers. He was driving a silver five-door car. 

DI Tyler added: "With Christmas just a few days away and with office and private parties still in full swing, we want others to ensure they do return home safely. With this in mind, we would urge people to book taxis or travel home with friends."