Police have released a new e-fit image of a man who raped and attempted to murder a woman in Leeds.

The image was created by combining descriptions of the man from the victim and from a woman he stalked.

The victim appeared on the BBC’s Crimewatch on Thursday to recount her ordeal and appeal for information.

West Yorkshire Police have now begun a mass DNA swabbing operation. Officers have visited over 1,000 homes and collected swabs from 250 men.

The attacker is described as being in his early twenties, 5″7, slim, with receding black hair and of Pakistani or Middle Eastern origin. He was wearing a green Puma hooded top and white trainers, possibly a Nike ‘Huarache’ shoe.

Police are testing anyone broadly fitting the description of the offender.

The victim, an 18-year-old local woman, was dragged from a bus stop in Beeston and beaten with a stone before being sexually assaulted on the 6 March.

Det Supt Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “The offender’s movements on the night of the attack strongly suggest the attacker has a link to the Beeston area.”

“This mass swabbing operation is just one aspect of the investigation but it is vitally important for us to be able eliminate as many potential suspects as possible.”

“The fact that we have a full DNA profile for the offender means that nobody has anything to fear about being wrongly implicated or telling us about anyone they have suspicions about.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 01924 334710 or via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Charlotte Mason
Greg Whitaker

Image courtesy of West Yorkshire Police