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Motorists drive by as woman is sexually assaulted in the middle of a busy road
Last updated at 02:22am on 14.02.08As she struggled with the brutal attacker trying to rape her, the terrified victim might have hoped that help was only a few feet away.
The 20-year-old woman had been pinned to the ground on a road which, even though it was 1am, was well lit and busy.
Yet not one of the passing motorists stopped to go to her aid.
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Instead at least five, including taxi drivers, chose not to help – but to continue their journeys.
Police are investigating and last night a source close to the inquiry said: "This was a lengthy and sustained attack and anybody who witnessed it as they drove past would have been left in no doubt as to what was happening to this woman."
The victim was returning home from a night out and had just finished talking to a friend on her mobile when she was attacked on Riverside Road in Stockton-on-Tees at 1am on Monday.
The man, who had been riding a bike and was wearing a white hoodie, first tried to drag her into the dark recesses of a shopping centre car park to carry out his sex attack.
When she fought back he punched her in the face repeatedly before ripping her clothes off and sexually assaulting her on the busy road.
Ignoring her obvious plight, motorists passed by without even stopping to help.
Yesterday, as the woman recovered at home with her family, Detective Sergeant Mick Todd of Cleveland Police said: "The attack took place in the middle of the road, but not one person stopped.
"There were at least five cars that passed her as she was lying on the road while the attack was taking place and we need those drivers to come forward."
He said police had checked CCTV footage from another part of the road and taken a statement from the victim to estimate how many cars had driven past.
Mr Todd added: "This woman has been very brave. She basically fought for her life.
"He used his fists and repeatedly rained blows into her face, and, as a result, she is severely bruised. He has then ripped her clothing and sexually assaulted her.
"There are several lines of investigation being pursued, from forensic possibilities, CCTV inquiries, press appeals, and we are also waiting on other witnesses coming forward.
"We have already identified two witnesses who were in the area and we are speaking to them now.
"But we would like to speak to any drivers who were in the area at the time, particularly taxi drivers."
Mr Todd said the woman was able to run for help after the attacker fled on his bike.
She was later taken to North Tees University Hospital, in Stockton, where she was treated for cuts and bruises to her face.
She is being cared for by relatives and a women's support network.
Police believe her attacker had intended to rape her and, but for her actions, would have succeeded. Ingrid Salomonsen, director and chief executive of Redcar and Cleveland Women's Aid, said: "Believe it or not, this does happen.
"Even if a woman is being raped in the street there are those who will think they don't want to get involved.
"They might be afraid of getting hurt or even interpret what is going on as someone having a laugh – it's all part of a denial process.
"What people don't realise is that they can stop their car, sound the horn, flash their headlights and then call the police.
"They don't even have to get out of their cars if they feel that would be putting themselves at risk."
It is the third sex attack in Stockton in as many weeks.
Police do not believe the incidents are connected but have urged women in the area not to use the streets alone at night.
Reader views (10)
Utterly disgraceful! My sympathies and thoughts are with the poor girl.
I can very well understand probable consequences of physical intervention in such situations. However, it's also a well established theory that cowardice is a trait which is always deep rooted in every criminal. As such, in the given situation, merely a 'screeching' halt of a driving-by motorist and blowing horn for a few times would've created sufficient panic for the offender to let off the girl and run away. This, at least, might have considerably averted the tremendous physical and emotional torture caused to the helpless girl.
Necessary police formalities could've followed according to the law.
- Nadeem Asghar, London, UK.
You brought it on yourselves, you protect criminals' rights over the good citizens; and you have disarmed your citizens so they can't intervene effectively if the wanted to. Good going Britain.
- Critch, Missouri, USA
I agree with Real. I can (just about) understand someone fearing the consequences of direct intervention, but it appears not one of these motorists even called the police? I would love to believe that these passers by simply misinterpreted the situation (i.e. did not realise an attack was taking place), as this is the only way I can comprehend their actions, but sadly it appears that this is the case.
As Edmund Burke said: ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’.
- Ben P, London, UK
What an absolute disgrace. Have these people who chose to ignore this young woman being assaulted, thought what if it was their daughter that was being attacked. They would be outraged. I am a woman but there is no way that I would choose to ignore an attack, my conscious would not let me. What is wrong with people in society today? I wish this young lady a speedy recovery, although I would imagine it will take her a long time to recover from her ordeal.
- Chris Nightingale, Watford, Herts
Anyone who saw this and did nothing should be ashamed.
- Paul, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I can understand why people hesitate to physically intervene but to completely ignore this horrific attack is just beyond me. I am sick of the police telling us not to use our mobile phones in the street, not to walk down the street at night. They should be scaring the criminals, not the general public.
- Real, London UK
And if anyone had stopped to help? They would either have been viciously attacked and injured (or worse) or the attacker would have been injured and would have then been the victim whilst the passer by was put on trial for attacking him! It is no surprise that people will not get involved these days because every day we are reading in the paper about innocent have-a-go people either getting seriously injured, murdered or convicted.
Labour must be so proud of what they have turned this country into. Perhaps we should have a Communist state once and for all - we are practically almost there anyway!
- Jessie, London
This story is a terrible reflection of the society we live in.
My heart goes out for the victim, but in a week where news stories report of two different incidents of men being beaten and kicked to death, one for defending his property, and the other for being a good Samaritan, you can kind of see where the passers by are coming from.
However, I personally would be disgusted with my husband if he ever told me he had suspected that someone was being hurt and he felt too scared to help.
- Smb, London, UK
My God what a sorry state this country has become that people would drive by (no doubt with having a good look) and ignore this poor woman. I am beginning to feel ashamed of being British - something I never thought I would say!
- Sarah, West Sussex
Absolutely disgraceful, but what do you expect people are just too scared to intervene for fear that they will become the target. I mean you only have to scan back over past news articles to see the amount of victims who have died trying to help someone. There is no excuse, but I can well imagine when the police interview the drivers that's probably going to be the reply, which is sad and doesn't help the young woman, hopefully one of them can help with identifying the attacker.
- Ciar, London
