The savagery of the rape of a teenager in Acomb was revealed for the first time at a press conference in York yesterday.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, leading the inquiry, disclosed how the rapist used a knife to inflict cuts on his victim’s body in what he described as “one of the most serious sexual attacks I have seen”.

Officers have warned women not to go out alone after dark while the attacker remains at large.

Detectives are now trawling CCTV footage in the search for vital clues to track down the rapist, and they have appealed for passengers on a York bus service to come forward, believing they might have important clues to help the inquiry.

Det Supt Raw said one witness had already come forward following the attack, which happened between 7pm and 8pm on Saturday in a field linking Westfield Place and Grange Lane, Acomb, as the woman was heading home from work.

He said it was essential the “dangerous” man was tracked down and found as soon possible and urged more witnesses or anyone with any information to come forward.

“It is vital that we trace the suspect as a matter of urgency,” he said.

“I urge anyone who recognises the likeness to an individual to contact North Yorkshire Police without delay.

“I advise people, especially women, to be vigilant and avoid walking alone in the evening.”

Officers are now checking CCTV tapes from the Acomb area and buses and bus stops across York, as the man may have followed the teenager after she caught the No1 First York service from the city centre towards her home. Specialist police teams are also seeking information from pubs and bars. The victim described the rapist as “smelling of alcohol and strong deodorant”.

Det Supt Raw said the victim had caught a bus from outside York Theatre Royal at about 6.45pm before getting off at Askham Lane, near Ridgeway, at about 7pm. She then walked down Grange Lane before turning left, entering a field and along a path by the side of Westfield Primary School.

He said: “From this sequence of events, the passengers on the bus could provide crucial information. I ask that they contact the police immediately to help the investigation.”

Following the attack, which happened at a mounded area close to the school, the rapist left the victim and made off in an unknown direction.

The 18-year-old, who works in a café in the city centre, was able to then make her way home where she told her boyfriend what had happened. He subsequently raised the alarm.

Det Supt Raw said one man had answered their appeal for information and potential leads were being followed up from house-to-house enquiries.

The rapist is white, about 5ft 5ins to 5ft 8ins tall, with a medium build and dark, cropped hair, thin lips and a rounded chin flecked with stubble.

He has a deep voice and a local Yorkshire accent, and was wearing a dark Puffa-style jacket and light trousers.

Witnesses or anyone with information should phone York police on 0845 6060247, quoting reference number 12100027797.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Victim’s bravery hailed

POLICE have hailed the bravery of the rape victim who, despite her physical injuries and mental trauma, was able to provide investigating officers with a detailed description of her attacker.

Her account to police had helped officers piece together the moments leading up to the attack.

Det Supt Lewis Raw said the victim, who required medical treatment at York Hospital following the rape, was coping “very well” and was “very brave”.

He said: “This was clearly a frightening and traumatic experience for the victim, especially as a knife was used in the attack, and she has shown real courage to provide a detailed account and description of the suspect to the police.

“This is a very serious sexual assault to happen – one of the most serious I have seen in my 28-year career – especially to a young woman of just 18.

“She can be assured, along with her family and the wider community, that we are doing everything possible to catch the suspect and bring him to justice.”


Hunt for rapist intensifies as police seek blade

A TEAM of ten officers are hunting the rapist.

Following the attack, 30 officers were initially working on the case as police scoured the bushes and undergrowth near the rape scene.

Teams of officers were put on foot patrol to provide reassurance to a shocked local community and house-to-house inquiries were also carried out.

Det Supt Raw said ten officers were now concentrating their efforts on catching the rapist and police are also continuing their hunt for the knife used in the attack which they believe could have been discarded.