Victim of Bristol sex attacker speaks out

by Chris Allen

A woman who was indecently assaulted by a serial sex attacker has spoken out about her ordeal, in the hope that it will help lead to the capture of the man.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is one of five victims attacked in the Clifton area since October.

The Bristol University student was pounced on in Alma Road as she walked home in the early hours of the morning, more than two weeks ago.

The attack happened at about 3am on Friday, November 7, and has been linked by the police to four other incidents in the same area over the last five weeks.

She was just minutes from her house when the man, dubbed the Bristol Groper, jumped on her from behind, forced her onto the pavement and pinned her down.

Unable to fight off her attacker, the third-year student screamed for help as he indecently assaulted her.

She said: "I was surprised at his strength and how I couldn't physically defend myself, so I just screamed at the top of my voice."

She first noticed the man walking in the same direction as her, but on the opposite side of the road.

Speaking to student newspaper Epigram, she added: "I thought nothing of it until the man then crossed the road and started walking behind me and sped up.

"I slowed down, thinking the man wanted to walk past me but then he grabbed me from behind and shoved me onto the ground."

The man ran off towards Whiteladies Road when the student started screaming for help, leaving her with minor bruises. She did not get a look at his face.

The student did not report the incident to police until she heard another woman had been attacked a few days later.

Other attacks have happened in Whiteladies Road, Pembroke Road and Hanbury Road, all in Clifton, with the latest being on Friday in Hampton Park, Cotham.

Police increased patrols in the area over the weekend and pledged to continue to keep more officers in the vicinity for at least another week.

The first indent assault happened on October 12, but police waited until last week to issue a warning. It is understood that detectives did not link the attacks at first.

All of the attacks have happened during the hours of darkness with all the victims being women aged between 20 and 30.

Police are hunting for a white man, who is about 5ft 10ins tall, with dark hair who has worn dark clothing in every attack.

Claire Stanley, an Avon and Somerset police spokeswoman, said: "Inquiries are continuing and the increased police presence will remain in the area this week."

A large team of officers is involved in the investigation and police have warned women to take extra care when walking in the area and to avoid walking alone.