Police issue update on sex attacker hunt: M1 service station could hold clue

A sex attacker may have mingled with unsuspecting motorists at a busy Leicestershire[1] motorway services after assaulting a lone woman[2] on a nearby road. Police believe the man walked into Leicester Forest East services after fleeing the scene. The victim, a woman in her 20s, was walking along Baines Lane when she was grabbed from behind by a man and pulled to the ground.

She was sexually assaulted[3] between 6.20pm and 6.40pm on Saturday (April 25) before the attacker ran off towards the southbound services, when she began shouting for help. Officers believe people using the services at the time, and particularly lorry drivers parked on the southbound side, might hold key information about the incident. Detectives are now making a direct appeal for anyone with dashcam footage who stopped at the services between 5pm and 7pm to come forward.

The victim described the man as white, aged in his late 40s or early 50s, and of a slim build with dark, greying hair and a grey beard.

He was wearing a black and white short-sleeved top at the time of the assault. Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall, from the force's Signal specialist rape and serious sexual assault team, said: "We believe the man may have gone into the car park at the services on the M1 southbound. I'm sure there'll have been people who saw someone matching the description and I'd like to speak to anyone who can help.

"We know anyone using the services may have travelled from outside Leicestershire and I'm appealing for HGV drivers and other drivers who stopped there between 5pm and 7pm to come forward. I'd also be grateful to the public if they are able to share our appeal for information so it reaches those living outside our force area." A dedicated public portal has been set up where dashcam footage and information can be uploaded directly to the investigation team at mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM26I77-PO1.

Anyone with information can also call Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 26*238050.

References

1. ^ Leicestershire (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ assaulting a lone woman (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ sexually assaulted (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)