Police patrols have been stepped up in the wake of an horrific attack on a teenager in Sudbury.
“I really honestly believe that she thought she was going to die.”
They were the words of detective superintendent Marina Ericson as she revealed more details into the horrific attack on an 18-year-old in Sudbury earlier this week.
Police believe the teenager had been walking home alone when she was attacked from behind by a stranger and raped in the early hours of Monday morning. The victim reported the attack to police at around 3.30am.
Police patrols have been stepped up in the area in the wake of the incident.
Addressing members of the press at the scene - an area of grassland between First and Second Avenue - yesterday, Det Supt Ericson, head of the joint major investigation team, said: “This was a really terrifying ordeal for this young lady. It is a complete stranger attack.
“She was particularly vulnerable when it happened walking along this cycle path on her way home.
“She was attacked from behind and significant force was used.
“I really honestly believe that she thought she was going to die.”
Police investigations are ongoing and officers are currently carrying out door to door enquiries in the area.
“The public are responding very well to our investigation,” said Det Supt Ericson. “They are really assisting us in these enquiries.”
Detectives are appealing for anyone who was near to First Avenue, Second Avenue or Waldingfield Road (B1115) between 2.30-3.30am to get in touch. They would also like to speak to people who were in the town’s Infinity Nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning.
Officers would also like any CCTV or dashcam footage from businesses or those who may have been in the area at the time.
Police were unable to confirm whether the man is thought to be from the local area.
“We remain open minded as to who might have done this at the moment. We are casting our net incredibly wide,” said Dept Supt Ericson.
She also urged people to stay safe while out in the area.
“I can understand that people might be very concerned about this while such a violent person is outstanding,” she said. “Please do taken precautions for you own personal safety if you are going out at night on your own please just try and make some arrangements for how you are going to get home.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
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