Police hunt roadside rapist

Our Police are trying to find a man who raped a woman in South Bristol this weekend as she walked home after a friday night out.  She was attacked shortly before 1.30am on Saturday morning at the junction of Whitchurch Lane with Hareclive Rd.

The 34 year old victim was approached by a man who tried to talk to her, but she ignored him.  A short while later the man dragged the woman onto waste ground where he raped her.

He is described as a white man of medium build, 5ft 10ins tall, and aged between 30 and 35. He had short brown or black hair which was flat on top. He was wearing a black, long-sleeved, zip-up tracksuit top with two white stripes on each sleeve and black jogging bottoms. He spoke with a strong local accent.

Crime scene investigators have carried out a detailed search of the location in a bid to find any clues and evidence which can help identify the suspect.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Game said: "This was a particularly nasty attack and we want to hear from anyone who can help us bring the person responsible to justice. This junction is busy and it is possible that a passing driver may have seen the suspect either before or after the attack."

"The location would suggest that this was an opportunist attack, and that it is likely that the person responsible is a local man. I am therefore appealing to local people for help in tracing the man.  Also, perhaps you are aware of a friend/relative/neighbour matching this description who returned home in the early hours of Saturday morning, possibly slightly dishevelled, and perhaps behaving a little differently to normal.

"I believe local people hold the key to helping us to identify the person who subjected this woman to a terrifying attack and I would urge anyone who can help to please come forward."

Anyone with any information about the incident, or who may be able to provide police with information about the identity of the suspect, should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  Crimestoppers will not ask for your name and will not make any attempt to trace your call.