VIDEO: Police release new CCTV footage of canal towpath sex attack suspect

Police have released new CCTV footage of a man wanted over a sex attack which left a woman unconscious on the canal towpath in Leeds.
Do you know this man? Call police on 101.Do you know this man? Call police on 101.
Do you know this man? Call police on 101.

The 39-year-old was jogging along the path next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal at about 6am on Wednesday when a man ran up behind her near to a lock between the A58 inner ring road and Viaduct Road in Kirkstall.

He groped her from behind and then grabbed her around the neck, causing her to pass out. When she came round a short time later behind a wall she saw the man running off having been disturbed by passersby.

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The CCTV shows him walking in the area shortly before the attack.

Police are also appealing for cyclists who were in the area to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Belton, from West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We are continuing to conduct extensive enquiries to trace this man and we want people to look carefully at this latest CCTV and let us know immediately if they think they know his identity.

“The canal towpath is a popular route at that time of the morning for people who run or cycle into the city centre. We believe there were a number of cyclists using the towpath at the time and we would like to hear from them.

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“Helmet cameras are increasingly used by cyclists and it may be that someone using that route has filmed the suspect. They might not be aware of this and I would ask anyone who does use any type of video camera while cycling there to check to see if they have any footage of the suspect.”

Police want to trace these cyclists as potential witnessesPolice want to trace these cyclists as potential witnesses
Police want to trace these cyclists as potential witnesses

The attacker was described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, slim, with brown hair and stubble. He had an English accent and was said to have a growling voice.

He was wearing black cotton jogging bottoms and a dark or black hooded bodywarmer which had a white logo on the chest.

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team are continuing to conduct increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance to people using the towpath.

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