New CCTV shows woman’s near-miss with Beeston rapist

Chilling new CCTV discovered by police investigating the rape and attempted murder of a woman in Leeds shows the attacker stalking another potential victim – completely oblivious to the danger she is in.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Apr 2015, 12:54 BST
An CCTV image from the attack shows the victim lying on the groundAn CCTV image from the attack shows the victim lying on the ground
An CCTV image from the attack shows the victim lying on the ground

An 18-year-old woman was attacked as she waited at a bus stop in Beeston Road, Beeston, on March 6. She was dragged into a garden and repeatedly bludgeoned with a rock before being raped and left for dead.

Police were subsequently contacted by two other women who said they were followed by a man matching the attacker’s description earlier that night.

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But detectives have now found video footage of the same man apparently preying on a third woman before the incident in Beeston.

Det Supt Nick Wallen said the unidentified woman can be seen walking past a row of bars in the city centre with the attacker trailing her before going out of camera shot.

He also gave further details about the narrow escapes of the other two women.

One woman was forced to flee from the man by bus after walking to her car in Leeds city centre, ending up miles away from where she was going, just to get to safety.

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Another woman can be seen on footage turning around to find herself just an inch away from the rapist, before darting into a shop on Burley Road, Burley, and staying in there until he left.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen on Burley Road, where the attacker is thought to have stalked another potential victimDetective Superintendent Nick Wallen on Burley Road, where the attacker is thought to have stalked another potential victim
Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen on Burley Road, where the attacker is thought to have stalked another potential victim

Det Supt Nick Wallen said: “His first target was a woman in her 20s who had parked her car. He is seen walking behind her, six inches from her back pocket.

“She was so concerned she got a bus that took her miles from where she was going.

“Another woman was also so concerned, she headed for a shop. On reaching it she is seen on film stopping and turning to see where he is.

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“As she does, she is face-to-face with him. He is only about an inch away.”

The scene of the attackThe scene of the attack
The scene of the attack

Police have also revealed they have the attacker’s DNA but so far have found no match and are waiting to hear back from forces abroad.

CCTV has already showed him wearing a distinctive green Puma hooded jumper and jeannear a Tesco Express three miles from where the Beeston bus stop where he attacked his victim between 9 and 10pm.

He is described as being of Pakistani or Middle Eastern origin, in his early twenties and slim with a receding hairline.

His 18-year-old victim was left with serious head injuries and a broken hip after the attack.