Woman Raped In Sunderland
Police are appealing for witnesses following the rape of a woman in Sunderland. It happened in the early hours of Tuesday, October 20, after the 20-year-old woman had been socialising in Sunderland city centre with friends. The group of friends went to the Port of Call pub on Park Lane and the victim left the premises alone between 2.15am and 2.30pm. She went to the nearby taxi rank on Park Lane when she was approached by an unknown man who offered to give her a lift home. She was seen walking with the man along Derwent Street towards a white car, similar to a Nissan Juke or Quashqui, which was then seen to leave the area and she was then raped. The offender is described as a white man, mid to late 20s, 5 feet 10" tall, medium build with short dark hair and facial stubble wearing a light coloured long sleeved shirt, dark trousers and black shoes. Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident and are appealing for any information. Police are carrying out regular patrols throughout the city centre to offer reassurance to those in the area. Detective Sergeant Dave Wakefield, of Northumbria Police Rape Investigation Team, said:
"We have officers, who are specially trained in dealing with the sensitive nature of incidents like this, working with the victim to make sure she has the support she needs at this time. We would ask anyone who was in Sunderland City Centre around Derwent Street in the early hours of Tuesday morning to get in contact with police as they may have important information that can help with out enquiries and help identify and trace the person responsible. We're carrying out enquiries into the incident and would ask anyone who thinks they have information that could help to get in contact. We understand incidents such as this cause concern in the community and I'd like to reassure people we're doing everything possible to trace this man." Anyone with information should contact police on 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 353 of 20/10/15 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.