Attacker ‘claimed he was an undercover police officer’ before sexual assault

Police in Rotherham are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the attack in the Clifton area of the city earlier this month.

The 39-year-old victim was walking from the rugby club on Badsley Moor Lane, across Wellgate and up to Hollowgate, when she was approached in a twitchell near Whybourne Terrace at about 8.30pm on Thursday September 3.

South Yorkshire Police said the man, who said he was an undercover police office, allegedly grabbed the victim, dragging her into a nearby car park at the back of an accountancy company where he sexually assaulted her.

The suspect was disturbed several minutes later by a passer by who intervened and called police.

The suspect is described as white, between 20-26 years of age, around 5ft 9ins tall, with a very slim build.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a dark coloured baseball cap, a dark zip up jacket, jeans and trainers. He smelled very strongly of aftershave and was carrying a satchel bag across his body.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1066 of 3 September 2015. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.