Woman sexually assaulted in Derry attack

Police in Londonderry have appealed for information following a serious sexual assault on a woman in the city in the early hours of this morning.

The attack happened close to a licensed premises at Rock Terrace in the Strand Road area between 3am and 3.30am this morning.

The attacker forced the victim along Baronet Street to a pathway beside the River Foyle where he carried out the rape.

The woman managed to escape from the assailant and ran to a nearby taxi office where she was able to raise the alarm.

The attacker is described as being in his mid-twenties and was wearing a white baseball cap bearing a logo.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and are especially keen to speak to a man who was walking along the riverbank and passed the pair when the attack was taking place.

Detectives believe that the man did not intervene as he may have thought that the couple were having a row.

Anyone with any information on the incident should contact police on 0845 600 8000, or on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/CD)