Woman subjected to ‘horrendous’ sexual attack in York

A vulnerable woman in her 60s has suffered a serious sexual attack while walking along the river bank in York.

Police are now hunting for the man who subjected her to the ‘horrendous’ ordeal.

The assault happened on Tuesday (January 2).

The victim was seen with the man at around 7pm near Lendal Bridge in York.

She then walked with him, down the side of the River Ouse in the direction of Scarborough Bridge, passing the Esplanade car park and the Post Office building on her left hand side.

The victim and the man then crossed over Scarborough Bridge and, once over the bridge, continued walking alongside the river, out of town towards the back of St Peter’s School and Clifton Bridge.

When they approached the back of the school, the man subjected the woman to a serious sexual and physical assault and stole money from her.

Attacker befriended his victim

Detective Inspector Alan Rowan is leading the investigation. He appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying:

• This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable woman, who the suspect befriended before luring her to a place where he could attack her.

  I urge anyone who was in the area at the time, to please cast their minds back and contact us if they can provide any assistance to our investigation.

  Unfortunately, the victim has found it difficult to provide any detailed description of the suspect and we appeal to members of the public to help us find her attacker.
  

Police are requesting anyone who saw a woman in her 60s with a man in this area of York around 7pm to contact them.

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