Woman thrown to floor in late-night sex assault
The woman was sexually assaulted at this location in Southport on Saturday night
AWOMAN was thrown to the floor and sexually assaulted by a masked man in a late-night attack.
The victim was approached by the man at the junction of Devonshire Road and High Park Road at about 11.20pm on Saturday. She was then thrown to the floor and assaulted before the attacker fled on foot.
Police say the woman did not sustain physical injuries, but was left extremely shaken by the ordeal and is being supported by specialist officers.
Officers searched the area for the offender, and have conducted a forensic examination of the scene. CCTV in the area is also being studied as part of an ongoing investigation.
The offender is described as a white male of medium build, around 30 years old, 5ft 11in tall with very short dark hair.
“He was wearing a thin black cloth face mask, a thin thigh length black coat and dark trousers.
Detective Inspector Christian Vaughan said: “Our investigations into this incident are at an early stage. I would like to reassure the community that this type of incident is, thankfully, extremely rare and we are taking this report very seriously.
“This would’ve no doubt been an incredibly distressing ordeal for the victim and we are working to ensure the person responsible is removed from our streets.
“Enquiries are ongoing to locate him and we’re particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Devonshire Road and High Park Road at about 11.20pm on Saturday and may have seen a man matching the description.
“If you were driving in the area at the time and have dashcam, might you have caught him on camera? Please check any footage and let us know if you have.”
Anyone with information, however small it may seem, is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. Alternatively, call 101 quoting incident reference 20000630525 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.