Man Wanted for Number of Indecent Assaults in Rochdale

Date published: 11/06/2004

Detectives in Rochdale have released an e-fit of a man they wish to trace in connection with a number of indecent assaults on local girls and young women in the Rochdale area between the 1 and 5 of June 2004.

The first assault took place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1 June when a 12-year-old girl was walking along Halifax Road in Smallbridge when she became aware of a man following her. He then grabbed her from behind and pulled her down an alleyway where he indecently assaulted her before she broke free.

The second victim, aged 17, was walking along Red Lane at around 3.15pm on Thursday 3 June when the man approached her from behind and tried to drag her into some bushes, the victim then managed to run away. At around 3.30pm the same day, the man approached a third girl. The 14-year-old victim was walking along the road when she was assaulted by the man, who grabbed hold of her, indecently assaulted her and tried to pull her in to some nearby bushes.

The fourth victim, 22, was attacked at around 12.45am in the early hours of Saturday morning, 5 June. She was making her way home after a night out when the man grabbed her and indecently assaulted her, following which she managed to escape.

The fifth assault took place by Cronkeyshaw Common in the Syke area at around 7.00pm on Saturday 5 June. The two 11-year-old victims were walking along Dewhurst Road when the man grabbed them both from behind and indecently assaulted them before they struggled free.

The seventh victim, aged 23, was walking her dog along Louise Street in Smallbridge at around 10.40pm on Saturday 5 June when the man approached her from behind and knocked her to the floor before indecently assaulting her.

Detective Inspector Martin Jeffs, Rochdale CID said: "The victims have all been left extremely traumatised by their ordeals. However, using their descriptions we have been able to put an E-fit of the offender together.

"He is described as a white male, approximately 19 years of age and between 5ft 8in and 5ft 9in tall. He is of a slim build with short, mousy brown hair. He has a spotty, pock-marked complexion and a ring or bar piercing in his right eyebrow.

"I am confident that someone will recognise this man from the E-fit and from the description we have of him and I would urge anyone who has any information about the victims attacker, or who witnessed any of the assaults, to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8543 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"I would also urge and young women who are out in the area to remain vigilant and to stay in groups wherever possible."