attacker

A KNIFEMAN grabbed a 22-year-old woman and raped her as she walked home alone after a night out with friends.

The attack happened around midnight on June 4 after the victim and some friends had left the Hare and Hounds pub at Lowton. Around 11.30pm she left her friends by the Winegro store on Lowton Road to walk the rest of the journey alone.

She walked onto Thirlmere Road and just after the junction with Ullswater Road a man grabbed her from behind and threatened her with a knife. He then walked her onto a grassy area behind Ullswater Road.

He then took to a secluded spot just away from the field and raped her.

Detectives say the rapist is described as white, aged 18-25 of medium build and around six feet tall. He was clean-shaven and wore a dark tracksuit with the hooded top pulled tight around his face. Anyone with information is asked to call Wigan CID on 0161 856 7151 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.