Police hunt after woman raped
From the Lancashire Telegraph, first published Monday 27th Aug 2007.
A WOMAN was raped in a back street after a man who befriended her turned violent.
The 49-year-old Darwen woman was attacked off Montague Street, Blackburn, as she had begun to make her way home during the early hours.
Community leaders have spoken of their shock at the attack and urged the public to come forward with information.
Police said the victim was walking along Preston New Road in the direction of the town centre when a man stopped her.
He struck up conversation with the woman near to Corporation Park, gaining her trust.
The woman, who had spent the evening at a friend's flat, told police he asked her for a cigarette. The man, who was said to be carrying four pint glasses, then asked her if she would like to join him for a drink.
The victim told police she did not feel threatened by the man as he was a lot younger and was happy to talk to him.
But it was then that he took her to a back street and pounced, subjecting her to a 10-minute ordeal.
The attack happened at 2am on Friday but police have only just released details of the attack after waiting to thoroughly interview the women.
Detective Sergeant Paul Ryan said: "We are treating this very seriously. She has been left shaken and extremely distressed by what happened to her.
"We have established the scene of crime and we will be reviewing CCTV we have recovered from the scene.
"Officers have been conducting house to house inquiries and forensic evidence is being examined."
"I would appeal to anyone who saw anything, especially this man, who would have stood out as he was carrying four pint glasses at the time, to contact us."
The attacker is believed to have fled along Preston New Road towards Preston Way Service station.
Coun Arshid Mahmood, who represents the Corporation Park ward, said: "I am shocked that this has happened.
"You hear about things like this happening all the time but don't expect it to happen on your door step, especially as it's such a nice area now.
"The poor woman must have been terrified, my thoughts go out to her and her family.
"I hope that the public will come forward with information to the police so they can catch the person responsible."
Officers are keen to trace a white man described as 29-years-old.
He is said to be between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in, medium build, blonde to light brown short hair wearing a light coloured jacket, jeans and light coloured trainers. He spoke with an eastern European accident, possibly Polish.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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