Man with ‘devil gremlin’ tattoo wanted by police

DETECTIVES are trying to trace a man with a “devil gremlin” tattoo after a teenager was dragged into bushes and raped by a stranger.

The woman, who is in her late teens, was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury and two black eyes following the attack in Bromley, southeast London.

The Metropolitan Police want to speak to William Trotter, 39, and have warned women walking alone in the area to remain vigilant.

Trotter is said to have links to Glasgow, as well as the Bromley, Lewisham and Lambeth areas of London.

Trotter, who was last seen wearing a pink face mask, dark blue jacket and dark trousers, while holding a blue carrier bag, is described as 5ft 6ins with a shaved head and green eyes.

One of his upper teeth is believed to be missing and he has a tattoo of a “devil gremlin”, with the name “Rhys” written above and “Daniel” below, on his right arm.

Detectives previously released a CCTV image of a man, who was on the number 199 bus with the victim before they both alighted at the Southborough Library stop in Southborough Lane.

Pictured wearing a white jacket with a fur-lined hood, blue jeans and black shoes, while carrying a mobile phone in one hand and a plastic shopping bag in the other, he was the last person to be seen alongside the victim close to the attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Dan O’sullivan said: “Following a previous appeal we would now urgently like to speak to William Trotter in connection with this investigation. Anyone seeing Trotter should not approach him, but should dial 999 immediately.

“This is an inquiry into the violent rape of a young woman and I would ask anyone with any information to search their conscience and do the right thing by calling police.

“If you do not want to give your name you can call Crimestoppers, who will not ask for your details, but however you want to do it, call and tell us what you know.

“In the meantime, we are asking women who are walking alone to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious to police – always call 999 in an emergency.”

Police were called to the scene in Turpington Lane at around 12.40am on Friday, March 20 to reports of a man restraining and assaulting a woman.

She told officers she had been dragged into bushes by a stranger and raped.