Police are closely examining CCTV cameras along the route before a woman was raped in a Melbourne laneway. Picture: Cameron Lestrange Source: Herald Sun
DETECTIVES will scour CCTV cameras from a 1km stretch of city streets in their hunt for a brutal sex attacker.
The predator walked with his victim for hundreds of metres, at one stage trying to hold her hand, before dragging her into a lane where he sexually assaulted and bashed her.
The 23-year-old, who had been on her way home after a night out, remains in hospital with head injuries from kicks and punches.
Her ordeal began when she was approached by a man near the intersection of King and La Trobe streets about 2.45am yesterday.
The man tried to talk to her, but she made it clear she was not interested.
He tried to hold her hand and continued to walk along King St with her, then into Victoria St and Chetwynd St, North Melbourne.
As the woman passed Brown Lane, the man grabbed her in a bear-hug and dragged her 5m down the lane.
He punched her several times to the head and knocked her to the ground, kicking her in the head before sexually assaulting her.
Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski, of the sexual crimes squad, said the woman cried for help.
Her ordeal ended when a courageous passer-by heard her screams.
"It is quite fortunate, considering the nature of her injuries," he said.
"It's a frightening attack."
The attacker stole her handbag and Sen-Constable Sniegowski said anyone finding it or anything else that could be linked to the crime should come forward.
Police will analyse CCTV footage taken along the route where the man first approached the woman and in Brown Lane. Sen-Constable Sniegowski said he hoped members of the public who had seen the pair would come forward.
The woman was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries and remains in a stable condition.
Sen-Constable Sniegowski said she was distraught at what had happened.
The attacker is described as being of either Asian or Indian sub-continental appearance, of medium build with short, black cropped hair and unshaven with stubble.
He was wearing a black top, blue jeans and an open leather jacket. He was last seen running south along Chetwynd St.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au
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