Woman sexually assaulted in Edinburgh’s Canongate

A YOUNG woman was dragged into an alley and subjected to a “sexually motivated attack” by a companion in the city centre.

Picture: PA

• Police hunt male suspected of sexually assaulting female companion in Edinburgh’s Canongate

• Alleged attack took place in a close at Old Tolbooth Wynd at around 6.30am yesterday morning

Police are appealing for witnesses following the terrifying attack on the 20-year-old woman in the Canongate area of the Capital yesterday morning.

The woman had been walking in the Canongate around 6.30am when she was dragged into a close at Old Tolbooth Wynd by a man who she had been out with earlier in the evening, who then assaulted her.

The assault ended abruptly and it appears the man may have been disturbed by a passer by. He then ran out of the close and down the Canongate towards the Scottish Parliament.

Detective Sergeant Iain Ramsay said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a young woman by a man who had been in her company earlier in the evening.

“It only ended when the suspect was disturbed by the presence of a member of the public who may have been jogging in the area and prevented the incident becoming more serious.

“While we are following a positive line of enquiry, anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen or heard a distressed female, or spotted a man fitting the description running down the Canongate yesterday morning, is asked to contact police immediately.”

The suspect is described as male, white, 5’6” - 5’7”, short side-swept fair/blonde hair, slim build, wearing a dark coloured hooded top, jeans and light coloured trainers.

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.