Police appeal for information after motorcyclist sexually assaults jogger

A woman was sexually assaulted as she jogged along a towpath close to Iver yesterday (Sunday).

The 30-year-old victim was jogging along the southern side of the Grand Union Canal towards Cowley at about 1pm when she was passed by a motorcyclist on a scrambler motorbike.

Five minutes later, as she was running between two bridges on the towpath opposite Farlows Lake, close to where Colne Brook enters the canal, she saw the motorcyclist stopped ahead of her.

As she ran past the rider, he grabbed her, pulled her to ground and inappropriately touched her over her clothing.

The victim struggled with the offender and ran off. She sustained minor injuries, including a bloody nose, grazed right elbow, grazed right hip and cuts to both of her knees.

The offender is described as white, in his 30s, about 5ft 8ins tall, slim, with pale brown or dark blonde short hair, with distinctive pale grey eyes.

He was wearing a light grey hooded top and dark grey baggy trousers. The scrambler motorbike had an ‘L’ plate on the rear. No other details about the bike are available.  

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lucie Roberts said: “This was a very frightening and distressing incident for the victim.

“Although the area is quite remote, the victim saw two cyclists pass her at the same time as the motorcyclist at around 1pm, shortly before the incident happened.

“After the assault, the woman approached a fisherman on the canalside and used his phone to call police. We are keen to speak to the cyclists, fisherman or anyone else who may have any information about the offender or vehicle.

“While the local community will understandably be concerned, I would like to reassure residents that officers will be conducting extra patrols and we are investigating this thoroughly.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.