Bolton rape: Police release CCTV footage after 'vulnerable' man targeted in 'terrifying attack'

Police would like to speak to anyone who was outside The Late Bar on Bradshawgate in the early hours of 5 September

Police have released CCTV footage as part of a public appeal for information after a man was raped during a “terrifying attack” in Bolton.

Greater Manchester Police officers were called shortly after 6:20am on Saturday 5 September after a man was raped in a car park near Manchester Road.

The attacker is thought to have targeted the victim, described as a vulnerable man in his 40s, between 4am and 4:30am as he walked home from a night out in the town centre.

Investigators believe that the offender approached the victim near the Cash Generators store on Bradshawgate, in Bolton town centre, as shown in the CCTV footage below.

Police want to speak to the white-shirted man in connection with a rape in Bolton (Greater Manchester Police)

The offender is described as a white man in his late 20’s, approximately 6ft tall and of stocky build with short brown hair. He was wearing a white shirt and jeans and is further described as “clean looking”.

Detective Inspector Damian Simpson from GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit said: “It is a month since this terrifying attack took place and, despite our extensive enquiries, we are still looking for the person responsible.

“We have released this new footage in the hope that somebody will recognise the man or at the very least it may jog someone’s memory to something they may have seen that night and encourage them to contact us and assist with our enquiries.

“The victim is a vulnerable man who has understandably been left traumatised by the attack and he continues to be provided with support from specially trained officers.

“We are particularly interested in hearing from anybody that may have been outside The Late Bar on Bradshawgate between 4am and 4.30am.“

Anybody with information should contact police in GMP’s Serious Sexual Offences Unit on 0161 856 1911 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.