Rapist-hunt police follow up new leads

The attack on an 18-year-old woman as she walked home on the outskirts of York has provoked widespread concern and North Yorkshire Police have warned women not to go out alone at night.

The Yorkshire Post revealed yesterday that the officer leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, considered the rape to be one of the worst offences he had dealt with in a career spanning 28 years.

An E-fit of the offender was issued on Tuesday and more than 12 people have now come forward with information.

Det Supt Raw said: "So far the response we have had from the local community has been very positive and we greatly appreciate the continued support for the investigation.

"The E-fit image is still very much an important part of our inquiries. Again, I urge anyone who possibly recognises a man matching the description to come forward as soon as possible."

The victim had finished work at a city centre cafe and caught a bus home before she was attacked early on Saturday evening while walking across a field off Grange Lane in Acomb.

She suffered what police described as "serious injuries", including scratches, bruises and cuts to her face and body, and was treated at York Hospital.

Police are studying CCTV in the hope of tracing the offender and have warned residents during house-to-house inquiries not to go out alone after dark.

The rapist was white, in his late 20s, 5ft 5in to 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, with dark cropped hair, thin lips and a rounded chin with stubble.

He had a deep voice and a local accent and was wearing a dark-coloured Puffa-style jacket and light-coloured trousers.

Anyone with information can contact York CID on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.