Witness Appeal after Rochdale woman attacked

Date published: 03/01/2007

Police officers in Rochdale are appealing for key witnesses to contact them following an attack on a woman on New Years Eve.

At around 8.30pm on Sunday 31 December a 30-year-old woman was walking along Ashfield Road in the direction of New Barn Lane when a man grabbed her from behind. He pulled her into an alleyway where a second man joined him. Both men threatened her, grabbed her by the throat and tore her clothing. The offenders ran away after a man walking a dog along the alleyway disturbed them.

The woman, who was very distressed by the attack, stepped out onto Ashfield Road forcing an oncoming vehicle to slow down in front of her.

Police are appealing for the dog walker and the driver of this car to contact them. The car was described as a dark coloured 4x4 that was driving along Ashfield Road just after 8.30pm.

DC Bob Stott said: "This was a nasty attack and the victim was extremely shaken by what happened. It was fortunate that the dog walker disturbed the attackers, otherwise this could have been a much more serious incident.

"As this happened near a busy road early on New Years Eve, people will have been walking around the area on their way to New Year celebrations. We urge people to think back to whether they saw anything that could help us catch these men."

One of the offenders is described as a man in his early 30's, of Asian appearance, between 6ft and 6ft 2in tall. He was of medium build, had a hook shaped nose and was wearing a dark hat with cream or white writing on it and a dark funnel neck coat.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows these men, are asked to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8551 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.