Greater Manchester Police
have today re-appealed for witnesses to come forward just over a week after a woman was subjected to a sexual assault when walking her dog in the field near Smallshaw Lane in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The victim, who is in her 60’s, reported being approached by a man in his 20’s, who was of slender build and around five foot eleven inches tall, at around 4.30pm on the evening of 2 January
She described him as wearing all dark clothing, with a hood over his head and a dark-coloured snood covering his nose and mouth, which only provided her with a partial view of his face.
She is being supported by specialist officers whilst all resources are being employed to locate the offender. House-to-house enquiries have been carried out in the area and no less than 100 households have been spoken to.
GMP are in possession of doorbell footage and CCTV but are now asking for anyone who was driving in the area, to come forward with any dashcam footage and for other people in the area at the time of the assault, to come forward to be ruled out of enquiries.
DS Ian Parker, of Tameside District CID, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim and the bravery she is showing in supporting our investigation and search for this abhorrent individual.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone in the area who have helped us so far. However, we just need some assistance from the people we have yet to identify.
“We are therefore hoping to trace approximately 13 people in the area, who have been caught on CCTV footage from Vicarage Crescent, which is just off Rowley Street – where Ashton United Football Club is located.
“So if you were out on the evening of 2 January 2023, around 4.30pm, please contact GMP on 0161 856 9262 quoting log number 1896 of 02/01/2023.
