MORE than 50 police officers were last night hunting a man who attacked and raped a disabled woman in a specialist care home.Essex Police said the man, thought to be in his early 20s, broke into the care home in the Colchester area around 11pm on Tuesday.
MORE than 50 police officers were last night hunting a man who attacked and raped a disabled woman in a specialist care home.
Essex Police said the man, thought to be in his early 20s, broke into the care home in the Colchester area around 11pm on Tuesday.
Police said his initial motive may have been burglary, but later he raped the woman, who suffers from a physical disability.
She raised the alarm and two care workers at the home came to her aid. There was a struggle and he fled through the bushes and fields that surround the home.
Two police officers arrived and followed the man who police said may have been injured in the chase.
A massive manhunt was launched yesterdayand police set up roadblocks in a bid to catch the man.
No abandoned vehicle was found near the scene and shocked residents were warned the man could still be hiding in the area.
They were asked to check outbuildings and garages for any sign of a break-in.
The distraught woman was taken to hospital and was last night being cared for by her family.
The two members of staff who struggled with the man were not seriously hurt although one did need hospital treatment.
Senior investigating officer Det Supt Graeme Bull, of Essex Police's major crime unit, called the attack "horrific".
He said: "The initial motive may have been burglary and some personal items were found to be missing. However, it could also be he attacked the woman first then made off with belongings as he fled.
"We want to reassure the community in this area that this is rare."
A spokeswoman for the charity that runs the care home said there would be a review of their security procedures.
No guards or CCTV cameras were employed there, she said.
Police described the man as white, 5ft 9ins tall with a big build, brown spiky hair and clean shaven.
They said he was "relatively immaculately dressed" wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white horizontal stripe across the front and blue jeans.
He may also have cuts across his face and hands, which police believe may have happened as he escaped from the grounds of the home.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Essex Police on 01206 762212.
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