Woman sexually assaulted at knifepoint

A woman was sexually assaulted at knifepoint after being approached by four masked males on electric bikes in Leeds, police have said.

It happened at about 10:50 GMT on Monday when the victim was walking along a pathway between Old Run View and West Grange Road in Belle Isle, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The males, who all wore black clothing and black balaclavas, fled the scene after the attack, a force spokesperson said.

It followed five other reported incidents of harassment or assault against the same victim in and around the same area over the past month, they added.

The previous incidents all took place at about 09:00 or in the early afternoon, with the first one taking place between 15:00 GMT and 15:30 GMT on Wednesday 12 November.

Officers said it was believed the incidents were racially motivated and involved the same group of males on each occasion.

Det Ch Insp Samantha Freeman, of Leeds District's Safeguarding Unit, said: "We are appealing for information about these incidents and the four males we believe were involved in them.

"This was a particularly horrific incident for the victim to endure, and clearly shows an escalating pattern of targeted behaviour.

"That's why I'm urging anyone in the community who has information about the people involved to get in contact with us.

"This is a serious incident, and we want to know who these males are or might be. We are interested in knowing any information about individuals riding e-bikes while wearing masks or balaclavas around Belle Isle."

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