Woman loses unborn baby after sex attack (From Wharfedale Observer)

Woman loses unborn baby after sex attack

3:36pm Thursday 2nd August 2012 in News By Observer reporter

A woman subjected to a sex attack at knife-point has lost her baby.

The victim was assaulted as she walked through a ginnel in Horsforth.

The 31-year-old, who is believed to have been several months pregnant, was threatened with a knife, and was treated at hospital for a small cut to her stomach. She was released on the same day but is understood to have lost her baby.

Police are appealing for information about the attack, which happened at about 6.40am on July 22, as the victim was walking down a ginnel between Broadgate Walk and Broadgate Lane.

She told detectives she was approached by a man who asked for the time before pushing her against a wall and pulling at her trousers. As she struggled with him, he produced a knife and cut her stomach.

The attacker escaped on foot in the direction of Broadgate Lane.

The suspect is described as white and unkempt, in his 40s, of medium build with short, dark hair and stubble. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue denim jacket, as well as a dark-coloured T-shirt with a white lined pattern.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Morgan, from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team, said: “These types of incid-ents, by their very nature, are rare but extremely serious.

“Fortunately, the victim was able to offer some form of resistance and the suspect fled on foot.

“After speaking to specially-trained officers, we have a good description of the suspect and I would ask anyone with information to get in touch.

“Despite the incident taking place early on a Sunday morning, there were still a number of people in the local area walking dogs, picking up a paper or perhaps catching a bus. I would appeal to those people to cast their mind back and speak to us if they saw anything suspicious.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01924) 334708 or via the non-emergency 101 number. Information can also be left anonymously and in confi-dence by calling Crime-stoppers on 0800 555111.

• A 46-year-old local man was arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident, and has been released on police bail.