Hunt for knifeman in sexual attack on teen girl (From The Oxford Times)

Hunt for knifeman in sexual attack on teen girl

9:10am Monday 30th April 2012 in News By Damian Fantato, covering Summertown, Jericho and North Oxford. Call me on 01865 425429

Police last night praised the bravery of a teenager as they step up their hunt for a knifeman, dressed entirely in black, who sexually assaulted her.

The 18-year-old was grabbed by a man in black as she walked through the Florence Park area of Oxford at dusk on Friday.

Her top was ripped during the assault but she managed to free herself from his grasp and run to safety.

She had just got off a bus in Iffley Road and was walking along Campbell Road, near the junction with Cornwallis Road, when she was grabbed by a 6ft 2ins tall, muscular white man at around 6.30pm.

Det Sgt Matt Jarman, of Oxford CID, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victim but she showed great bravery in fighting off this man. I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, or who saw a man matching the description in the local area, to come forward.

“It was still light at the time of the offence and the area would have been busy, so I believe someone will have seen this man and could hold vital information for our inquiry.”

He said the attacker had a folding knife and was wearing a black woolly hat, a black scarf, a black zip-up jacket, black jeans and black gardening-style gloves.

Police are keeping an open mind on whether the attack may be linked to previous crimes in the Oxford area.

In February, there was an attempted rape on a 17-year-old girl as she walked along Sandy Lane West in Littlemore.

Last October a 19-year-old woman who had gone shopping in Rose Hill was dragged to a nearby grassy area and attacked.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.