Safety fears as three women attacked in Workington

Aug 24 2008 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

WOMEN in a North town are living in fear following three sex attacks — including one rape — in just over two weeks.

The head of the investigation into the assaults, in Workington, believes two are linked and is urging women to be extra vigilant.

Detective superintendent Cath Thundercloud, of Cumbria Police, was speaking after police issued a photofit of a man they are seeking, as well as CCTV footage showing another man they believe could help with their inquiries.

The offences believed to be linked took place on July 31 and August 11, while a third happened on August 15.

Ms Thundercloud said of the first two: “We’re not definitely linking them, but there are similarities. It is extremely rare to get two sexual assaults carried out by a stranger a few miles apart within a short period of time.

“This is the highest priority investigation in the force area and we have 30 officers working full-time to find this offender.

“All women living in the area should think about their personal safety. Don’t go out alone, take a mobile phone with you, plan your journey and tell people when to expect you back or to arrive.”

The first attack occurred between 10pm and 10.30pm on July 31 on Mossbay Road, when a man approached a 16-year-old and began talking to her. He then dragged her into nearby bushes, where she was raped.

The second attack, also on a 16-year-old, was on Hunter Street at 4am on August 11. The teenager was approached from behind, punched and dragged into an alley. Police believe her attacker intended to sexually assault her but she managed to make a call on her phone and he fled.

The third sex-attack victim was a 23-year-old woman who was assaulted in Headlands Close on August 15, but this is not being linked to the other offences.

Ms Thundercloud said: “In the July assault, the attacker had a scarf pulled up to his nose and was deliberately trying to hide his identity. He had a local accent but we can’t rule out the possibility he lives in another part of the county.

“In the second attack, on August 11, the victim did not see his face as she was attacked from behind. In both cases, the attacker was in his teens or early 20s.”

The attacker is described as 6 feet tall, having a stocky build, short dark hair, blue eyes with a partially shaved left eyebrow and a blue dot tattoo under the knuckle of right-hand little finger. He was wearing a dark hooded Nike top, a tracksuit with white vertical stripes and black trainers with white laces with a silver metal England badge attached to the bottom of the laces.

Det Supt Thundercloud added: “If you know someone in your household, a brother, son or husband, who was out at 4am in the morning on August 11 then please call us.”

Anyone with information should call Workington CID on 0845-330 0247 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.