Attempted Rape In Middlesbrough
Detectives are appealing for information after an attempted rape in the Middlesbrough area in the early hours of Sunday morning, 4th October. The incident took place between 4am and 4.30am on Whitfield Avenue, a path that runs off Angle Street close to Marton Road. The 42-year-old victim was approached by the suspect close to a Royal Cars taxi rank on Marton Road and she walked with the male from Park Vale Road onto Angle Street and then onto Whitfield Avenue, where the offence took place. The victim was left with minor injuries which did not require treatment. It is believed that a man who may have been stood near to the Royal Cars taxi rank when the woman was approached by the suspect could have information which could assist the investigation. This man is described as a white male, aged in his late forties to early fifties, of medium build with ‘short back and sides’ hair style and wearing blue jeans and a red top. Officers would like this man to contact them. The suspect is described as a white male, aged 25-27 years old, around 5ft 8” tall, English speaking with possibly an Eastern-European accent, blonde hair which was parted and styled with gel with shaven sides and medium or athletic build. He was wearing a navy blue, shiny waist-length jacket fastened with a zip to the top, grey or blue jeans and bright white Nike Air Max trainers. Detective Inspector Matt Murphy-King, from Cleveland Police Major Crime Team, said:
“I’d like to appeal to any witnesses who may have seen anything which could be related to this investigation, and in particular I would like to speak to a man who may have been standing at the taxi rank near to the junction of Southfield Road and Marton Road, where the victim was approached by a male. This man could have important information. If anyone believes that they may have sighted a man matching the description of the suspect around the time of the incident then we also need to hear from you, or anyone who may have private CCTV in the area of Park Vale Road and Angle Street. I would like to reassure local members of the public that there is a team of detectives working on this investigation and that a number of lines of enquiry are being carried out to try to find the person responsible.”
Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact DI Matt Murphy-King from Cleveland Police Major Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.