Woman Raped In Manchester City Centre

Detectives are investigating after a woman was raped in Manchester City Centre on New Years Day.

Police are calling for at least five people who came to help the woman, to come forward.

The 39-year-old woman reported what happened when she got home.

She had been at the Black Dog Ballroom for a party but the attack took place in an alleyway offTib Street between the bar and Moho Live, sometime after between 12.10am and 2am on New Years Day.

The woman was found after the attack by two members of the public who helpedher to the front of the Black Dog Ballroom. 
Two men and a woman then paid for her taxi home. 

The offender is described as being a very tall black man of heavy build in his mid 40s with shorthair, large eyes, a big mouth and lips, a prominent nose and flared nostrils and a stubbly face. 

He had 'pot marks' across both cheek bones and a thick neck with double chin and creases on bothsides of his mouth. 
He was wearing dark clothing and a long black coat. 

Detective Inspector Mark Hudson said: "The victim has been left badly shaken up by this ordeal.While she is unable to recall exactly where she was and when, she has given a detailed description of the offender. 

"I would like to directly appeal to the people who came to the woman's aid to come forward to thepolice. 

"There is every possibility that they did not realise what had happened and therefore may not havethought it appropriate to call the police. 

"We are working very hard to try and trace the man responsible. Detectives are carrying outa number of inquiries and we also have specially trained officers speaking to the victim.

"We would also like to continue our message to women going into Manchester to make sure yourfriends know where you are and that where possible to stay in groups.

"There have been similar incidents in the Northern Quarter but there is nothing to link this incident although we are keeping an open mind."