Man suspected of serious sexual assault in York (From York Press)

Man suspected of serious sexual assault in York

8:00am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

POLICE are hunting for a man suspected of carrying out a serious sexual assault on a woman in York.

Detectives have appealed for the public’s help tracking down the suspect, Mohammed Hussein.

They released this image of the man yesterday morning and urged anyone seeing him to contact police urgently.

Hussein, 33, is suspected of attacking the 32-year-old woman at her home in the Layerthorpe area on August 20, but North Yorkshire Police released details of the incident only yesterday.

A spokesman said it had been decided to issue an appeal to the public only after other avenues of inquiry had been exhausted.

He said officers had been making extensive inquiries in an effort to locate Hussein, who was known to have links to both London and Brighton.

He said Hussein, who is originally from Bangladesh, was known to the victim prior to the incident.

Detective Sergeant Alan Rowan, of York CID, said: “It is imperative that Mohammed Hussein is arrested as soon as possible so that we can progress the investigation and give reassurance to the victim.

“We don’t know if Hussein is still in York at this time or possibly in London or Brighton.

“But I am urging the public to take a good look at his picture and get in touch with the police or Crimestoppers if they see him.”

The spokesman said that by teatime yesterday, there had been no arrest or calls from the public in response to media publicity about the appeal for help.

Anyone who can help to trace Mohammed Hussein is urged to phone Det Sgt Rowan or York CID on 101.

Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 12120138060 when referring to the incident.