CCTV footage shows Manchester woman jump into busy road to flee sex attacker

A video shows man approaching the victim from behind and putting his hand up her skirt

Police have released CCTV footage showing the moment a woman was forced to jump into a busy road to avoid a man trying to sexually assault her.

Security footage shows the man approaching his victim from behind on the street and reaching up her skirt.

The woman told Greater Manchester Police she had become uncomfortable with how close the suspect was walking behind her immediately before the incident on 5 February at around 6:50pm.

She said she had attempted to cross the road to get away from him but he sexually assaulted her as she paused to wait for a safe time to cross during the incident in Manchester city centre.

She screamed at the man to get off her and he walked away.

The man is described as white and in his 50s - between 5ft8 and 6ft tall with a medium build, dark grey stubble and a moustache.


 Police said the man was wearing a beanie hat.
 (Greater Manchester Police)

He was wearing a dark beanie hat, a dark coat and a rucksack.

Constable Rebecca Lovekin said: “This was a predatory attack that came about after this offender followed the victim down the street.

“He waited until she was trapped between the busy crossing and him before sexually assaulting this terrified woman.

“She leapt into the busy road to escape him, putting herself in further danger, and the offender walks away.

“If you recognise this man, help us prevent any further attacks and come forward to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 050216/2233 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111