DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses after a woman was dragged into a car park and subjected to a serious sex assault by two men.The 31-year-old victim and her friend had spent the night in Ipswich and walked to a taxi rank in Old Foundry Road in the early hours of yesterday morning.

By Danielle Nuttall

DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses after a woman was dragged into a car park and subjected to a serious sex assault by two men.

The 31-year-old victim and her friend had spent the night in Ipswich and walked to a taxi rank in Old Foundry Road in the early hours of yesterday morning.

While her friend made her way home, the victim waited at the rank for another taxi to arrive and was approached by two men.

The offenders dragged her a short distance into an area within the car park of The Regent theatre in St Helens Street and both men subjected her to a serious sexual assault.

After the attack, the victim made her way to a telephone kiosk at Majors Corner and called her friend for help. A motorist stopped to help the woman and drove her to her friend's house.

Police were called at 4.10am by the friend and specially-trained officers conducted interviews with the victim yesterday.

Detective Inspector Stuart McCallum said: “The victim of this incident has understandably been left distraught by this traumatic sexual assault.

“Specialist officers will continue to support her and provide her with the help she needs.

“It is important we hear from anyone who was in the area in the early hours of the morning. They may have vital information which could help us with this investigation.”

Detectives would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Hawk Express Taxis in Old Foundry Road, The Regent car park or Majors Corner between midnight and 4am yesterday.

They would also like to hear from anyone who saw a woman with two men and from the man who assisted the victim at the telephone kiosk and drove her to her friend's house.

Anyone with information should contact DI Stuart McCallum at Ipswich CID on 01473 383013 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.