Police Scotland is seeking the assistance of the public in an effort to trace a man who carried out a serious sexual assault against a 20-year-old woman at an Edinburgh cemetery on Friday night (Sept 19).
The incident happened at around midnight within Eastern Cemetery off Easter Road.
The woman had been on a night out when, at around 11:30pm, she made her way to the north end of Easter Road with the intention of catching a bus near to the Persevere Bar.
She had a brief conversation with an older man who was waiting at the stop but after realising that no buses were scheduled to arrive, she decided to walk up Easter Road in the direction of the city centre.
At around this time the suspect, who was with another male, engaged her in conversation.
The unidentified man, who wore a distinctive pink-coloured top, quickly left leaving the suspect alone with the woman.
They walked as far as Drum Terrace before entering the graveyard where the man pushed her to the ground and attacked her.
Police are now appealing to anyone who can help identify him to come forward.
He is described as white, in his early 20’s, around 5ft 6ins tall with a thin build. He spoke with a local accent and had been wearing a grey jumper with blue jeans.
Detective Inspector Morag Bruce who is leading the investigation, said: “The victim has, understandably, been left very badly shaken by this ordeal and I want make clear that we will do everything in our power to find this man as quickly as possible.
“There is a strong possibility that he had been drinking in the local area and I would ask anyone who remembers him to come forward immediately.
“I am also very keen to hear from the man in the pink top who had been with the suspect and also the older gentleman who was waiting at the bus stop and who spoke to the woman.
“The thoroughfare would have been very busy at the time of this incident with busses and taxis. Anyone who was on Easter Road between 11:30pm and 12:30am and who remembers anything, which might help our ongoing enquiries is asked to contact police.
“Additional high-visibility police patrols will be in the area and will remain there for the foreseeable future.”
Those with relevant information are asked to contact police on 101 or, alternatively through the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
