Cops Hunt Edinburgh Rapist

20 September 2015, 07:36 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police are hunting a man who raped a woman in a cemetery in a night-time attack in Edinburgh.

The woman, aged 20, had been on a night out when she made her way to the north end of Easter Road at around 11.30pm on Friday to catch a bus home from near the Persevere Bar.

After a brief conversation with an older man who was waiting at the stop she realised there were no buses due, and decided to walk up Easter Road towards the city centre.

The suspect, who was with another man in a pink top, then engaged her in conversation while the other man quickly left.

The woman and the suspect then walked as far as Drum Terrace before entering the graveyard where the man pushed her to the ground and raped her.

Police are appealing for information about the attack, which happened at around midnight in Eastern Cemetery off Easter Road.

Detective Inspector Morag Bruce said: ``The victim has, understandably, been left very badly shaken by this ordeal and I want to make clear that we will do everything in our power to find this man as quickly as possible.

``There is a strong possibility that he had been drinking in the local area and I would ask anyone who remembers him to come forward immediately.

``I am also very keen to hear from the man in the pink top who had been with the suspect and also the older gentleman who was waiting at the bus stop and who spoke to the woman.

``The thoroughfare would have been very busy at the time of this incident with buses and taxis. Anyone who was on Easter Road between 11.30pm and 12.30am and who remembers anything which might help our ongoing inquiries is asked to contact police.

``Additional high-visibility police patrols will be in the area and will remain there for the foreseeable future.''

The suspect is described as white, in his early twenties, around 5ft 6in with a thin build.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a grey jumper with blue jeans.