Police hunt sex attacker who tried to rape woman after breaking into her home
POLICE are hunting a sex attacker who attempted to rape a woman after breaking into her home.
The victim, aged in her 20s, had fallen asleep in the living room of her home in Balham, South West London, when she was woken by the man.
He told her to keep quiet then attempted to sexually assault her during the horror on May 6.
The suspect fled the scene after the victim screamed.
Police have now released a CCTV image of a man matching the intruder’s description.
He can be seen walking in nearby Streatham High Road around 30 minutes after the attack.
The Met have also issued an e-fit of the suspect, which shows a scarf over his face.
They said he is described as black, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, with a slim but not athletic build.
The intruder was around 5ft 7ins with short afro hair.
Officers confirmed the attack is being treated as isolated with the victim left extremely distressed.
Detective Sergeant Andy Walker, of the Met’s South West Area unit, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal and the victim is being fully supported by officers specially trained to investigate sexual offences.
“We believe this man must have been looking for an opportunity to enter a home, he is clearly a danger to women and we need to find him.
“We are appealing for the public’s help and releasing CCTV and an e-fit of a man we urgently want to trace. I am asking anyone who can help to call police, or you can call Crimestoppers who will never ask for your name.
“Officers are doing all they can to find this man, but we believe it is the public who may have the vital information that will help us trace and arrest this man.”
Anyone with information can call police on 07919 302419, via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.