GREATER Manchester Police are appealing for information after a woman was

forced to drive to the West Midlands from Bury and then seriously sexually

assaulted.

The incident happened between 7.20am and 7.30am on Friday 21st September,

when the 45-year-old woman was alone in her black Hyundai Lantra travelling

towards Whitefield on the A56 Bury New Road.

The woman was in standing traffic on the A56 between Junction 17 of the M60

and Higher Lane ( there is a McDonalds on the corner) when an Asian male

opened the rear door from the pavement side and climbed into the back seat.

He's described as aged between 20 and 30, around 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in, of

slim build with short dark hair with a side parting and he also had a small

neat moustache. He was wearing a dark coloured sweatshirt and spoke with an

Asian accent.

The man threatened the woman and told her to go back to the M60, and she

performed a U-turn through the central reservation to head towards the

motorway. He then told her to drive towards Birmingham.

As they passed the RAC control centre on the M6, the man told the woman to

take the M5. A short time later, either at junction 1 or 2, he told her to

leave the motorway. They then drove to a secluded area with trees and

fields nearby where he sexually assaulted her.

After the attack, the man told her to drive back to the M5 southbound

(towards Bromsgrove). A short time later, near junction 4 he told her to

pull over on to the hard shoulder, where he left the car and ran off up the

embankment. The woman drove on for another ten minutes before pulling over

and calling the emergency services.

Detective Inspector Jane Antrobus from Whitefield CID said: "This was an

extremely nasty attack, which has left the victim seriously traumatised and

shaken.

"It is vital that anyone who saw any part of this incident comes forward

and speaks to the police.

"Someone must have seen this man climb into the back of the black Hyundai

Lantra as it was stopped on the A56, or a motorist driving towards the M60

may have seen the woman performing the U-turn through the central

reservation.

"Although this was a serious incident, I would like to reassure women that

this kind of offence is extremely rare, but as a general safety rule it is

important that female motorists keep their doors locked while in standing

traffic and be alert to their surroundings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Whitefield CID on 0161 856

8240.