A woman bravely fought off a man who tried to force her into a car during a terrifying attempted abduction in New Mill yesterday.
Her nightmare ordeal only ended when she fled in the dark into a wood to escape her attacker and alerted police.
Minutes earlier the 28-year-old woman had been approached by a man driving an Audi A3 along Fulstone Hall Lane, near to Far Well Lane, at 4.45pm.
He offered her a lift but she refused and he drove off.
But when she got to a farmer’s gate she saw the same Audi vehicle parked up ahead, alongside wooded areas on both sides of the road.
As she walked past the car the man opened the door and again asked the victim if she wanted a lift, stating that she shouldn’t be walking alone.
As she declined the lift, the man grabbed her right hand and during a struggle she was punched to the face.
She managed to strike the attacker and escape by climbing over the farmer’s gate and running into the nearby woods.
She then hid in the woods until she was sure the suspect had left the area.
Detective Inspector Stephanie Wiseman, from Kirklees CID, said: “This was a disturbing incident and I would like to hear from anyone who recognises the description of the suspect or who may have seen anything suspicious in the local area last night.
“At this time we are continuing to support the victim, who has suffered bruising to her face and is understandably shocked and upset by what has taken place. A forensic examination of the scene is ongoing today and additional patrols have been deployed in the area as house to house enquires are being carried out.
“Fortunately crimes of this type are very rare, particularly in the local area, and that makes it all the more vital to identify this man and bring him before the courts.”
The suspect is described as a white male with a medium build, around 6ft tall and aged in his 30s to mid 40s. He had black wavy hair about 3” long, which wasn’t cut in any particular style. He was also thought to have bushy eyebrows, facial stubble and was wearing a thick, green coloured, knitted jumper and dark blue jeans. He spoke with a heavy Yorkshire accent.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Huddersfield CID on 101 and quoting reference number: 13140436820.
In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below. The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects. If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.
