Further CCTV released of Leeds bus stop rapist prowling the streets
Detectives investigating the attempted murder and rape of a woman in Leeds are appealing to communities across the city to help them track down the attacker.
Image: West Yorkshire Police.
The 18-year-old was attacked as she waited at a bus stop in Beeston Road at about 10.40pm on 6 March, and was dragged into a nearby garden, struck over the head numerous times with a large stone before being raped.
She received serious head injuries and a fractured pelvis.
So far, the large-scale investigation has seen 1,056 potential lines of enquiry explored, 2,015 homes visited and 5,000 people spoken to, 427 DNA swabs taken and 375 males eliminated from the enquiry.
But the investigation team has not had any specific information pointing to the man’s identity.
Additional CCTV footage has been released of the suspect, who can be seen stooping down and possibly arming himself with the stone he used to attack the victim.
Given the DNA profile recovered from the victim is not on the UK’s database and has not yet been link to any other on European databases, one possibility is that the offender is a recent arrival to the UK, either legally or illegally.
His suspected origins or ethnicities are Eastern European, Asian or Middle Eastern. He has also covered long distances on foot on the night of the offence which suggests that he doesn’t have access to a vehicle.
- A closer look: New CCTV footage of Leeds bus stop rapist released
- Leeds bus stop rapist used this stone to beat victim, 18, over the head
Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, who is leading the hunt, said: “What we are asking people to consider is where would someone who had those particular characteristics find somewhere to stay in Leeds? Where would he being getting money from? What types of work might he be involved in? Where would he socialise? If he was only in Leeds that night, what work or other event would have brought him here?
“We are continuing to conducting extensive enquiries, including a targeted DNA swabbing operation, and it could be that someone’s local knowledge around these five factors could direct us to a potential avenue we have not yet considered looking down.
“We remain absolutely determined to catch this man and although it is more than two months since the incident our resolve remains as strong as it was on day one.”
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for any information passed directly to them that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 01924 334710 or via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
