Appeal to find possible witness after woman sexually assaulted on Christmas Eve

It happened on Woolley Edge Lane, in Wakefield, between 10pm and 10.50pm on December 24.

The lone adult woman was approached by a man and subjected to a sexual assault.

A member of the public reported a suspicious incident and on police arrival, officers found the victim and came to her aid.

The woman suffered minor injuries and was left very distressed by the incident.

The suspect is described as a white male, around 5’10ft - 6ft4 tall, around 35 years old, stocky build, short hair, spoke with a Yorkshire accent and was smoking a cigarette.

Detectives are urging now a car driver who may hold important witness information to come forward.

The man was driving along Woolley Edge Lane with two children in the car.

Police believe he may have seen the victim trying to flag him down and could have important information as a witness.

Detective Inspector Kristy Wright of Wakefield District CID said: “We are continuing to investigate this serious incident and have been conducting a number of enquiries in the Woolley area.

“Our team remain very keen to identify and speak with a male driver who the victim has described trying to flag down and we would urge him to contact us.

“I must stress that we are seeking to speak with him as a witness, as due to his presence in the area at the time, it is possible he may have information which could assist us.

“We also continue to appeal for anyone else who could assist us, including drivers vehicles travelling through the village at the time to contact us.’

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wakefield District CID on 101 or use the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting log 1691 of 24 December.

Information can also be given anonymously to the Independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.