Woman is sexually assaulted in Belfast's university area

A woman has been subjected to a serious sexual assault near Queens’ University Belfast.

The police said the woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, was walking near to the Seamus Heaney Library in the Belfast university complex at 2am on Friday March 1.

The woman was assaulted by a man who emerged from bushes along the pathway at College Park.

Shortly after the attack, the woman spoke to two young men, one of whom had short blonde hair.

Detectives at Musgrave Street Station have appealed for witnesses, particularly either of the two men, to come forward.

SDLP assembly member for South Belfast Alasdair McDonnell has strongly condemned the attack on the young woman. He said: “I utterly condemn this attack and would urge any members of the public in the area at the time to report any relevant information to the police which may help bring this mindless criminal to justice.

“I would make a plea to all women in the area not to take the risk of walking alone late at night. I would also recommend that the police increase their presence in the university area to make it as difficult as possible for those intending to attack women.”

(AMcE)