Leeds bus stop sexual assault: Police release shocking CCTV footage in public appeal

A woman was brutally attacked and left for dead on 6 March

CCTV Footage of a Serious Sexual Assault, Beeston Road, Leeds. (West Yorkshire Police)

Police investigating the attempted murder and sexual assault of a woman in Leeds have released a CCTV video of the incident as part of a public appeal.

The 18-year-old victim was waiting for a bus on 6 March at around 10:50pm, when a man dragged her into a garden behind the bus stop and violently struck her over the head with a rock.

The shocking incident left her with serious head injuries and a broken hip.

Warning: Viewers may find this footage distressing

Police have released edited CCTV footage of the brutal attack, with the consent of the victim and her family, in the hope that a member of the public will come forward with information that could help identify the suspect.

The man is described as in his early 20s, slim, and of Pakistani or Middle Eastern origin with a receding black hair line.

He was wearing dark clothing and possibly a light blue hooded sweatshirt during the attack.

The most graphic scenes have been removed from the footage released by West Yorkshire Police, which shows the victim being forced behind a hedge, metres away from the bus stop.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said that while the video is not of a high enough quality to directly identify the suspect, it is hoped that someone will recognise his build or gait.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said the force had thought long and hard about releasing what it called “dramatic” footage, but said the victim’s “express wish” was for it to be made public.

He added: “We felt it was important to give people a first-hand insight into the nature of this offence in the hope it will encourage them to think very carefully about anything they may have seen in the area around the time or if they have any suspicions about someone they know.”

As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives have trawled through CCTV from the area nearby the attack, and say that it is clear from the footage that there were a number of people around at the time of the attack.

They are keen to trace one woman who was seen boarding a number one bus bound for Leeds and man who was with her, as well as another man was seen running along Beeston Road and onto Parkfield Avenue.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 01924 334710, call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.