Police say a woman in her 20s was ‘grabbed from behind’, pulled to the ground and sexually assaulted before the attacker fled the scene towards a nearby service station
Police have launched an appeal after a woman was allegedly pulled to the ground and sexually assaulted by a man near a service station in Leicester.
The incident happened in Baines Lane, an access road off the A47 Hinckley Road, near the southbound M1 services in Leicester Forest East, at around 6.45pm on Saturday, April 25. The victim, a woman in her 20s, was grabbed while she walked along Baines Lane towards Hinckley Road.
The man “pulled her to the ground and sexually assaulted her,” Leicestershire Police said in a statement. “When she began shouting for help, he ran off towards the southbound services.”
Officers have been in Baines Lane today carrying out further enquiries to try and identify the person responsible. Specially trained officers are also providing support to the victim.
The victim described the man as white, in his 50s and of a slim build with grey hair and a grey beard. He was wearing a black and white short sleeved top. Officers are appealing for anyone who saw a man matching this description to come forward.
Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall said: “Although Baines Lane is an access road, we do know it’s used by people to get onto the M1 southbound. I’m appealing for anyone with dashcam footage who was at the services between 5pm and 7pm to get in touch.
“Any information you’re able to provide, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, could help.”
Members of the public can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*238050. Alternatively call 101.
