Victim thwarts sex attack after being thrown on car

The 55-year-old had been enjoying an evening in Leith when she spotted a man looking at her as she walked down Halmyre Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He followed her and grabbed her arm, forcing her on top of the parked car. After a struggle, the woman fought her attacker off and he fled the scene.

Today, police said they were confident it was an isolated incident and appealed for anybody with information to come forward.

Detective Constable Ash Pitblado said the thug had been an “opportunist”.

She said: “We believe there has been a sexual motive to this assault. We believe that the victim had been walking along the street and identified the man, then walked past him without incident.

“When she turned a corner he was behind her and he took hold of her by the arm and forced her on the bonnet. We believe it lasted a few seconds but because of the shock the victim experienced, it is hard to tell.

“He walked off in the direction of Lorne Street. She had shouted at him [during the incident] and we’ve had a positive response from door-to-door inquiries.

“Absolutely nothing similar has happened in the area and we are quite happy this has been an isolated incident. The victim is fine. She was unharmed, although she is really shaken.”

The woman was returning home from a night out at around 3.35am.

The suspect is described as Asian or Eastern European, 5ft 8in with a thin build, short black hair, dark eyes and a moustache. He was wearing dark clothing and black dress shoes.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are eager to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious.

“We are particularly keen to speak with two women who were known to be in the area a short time after the incident. They are asked to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can call police on 0131-311 3131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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