Appeal after woman is assaulted by a man in Padiham

Date published: 11 September 2010

Police in Padiham are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 35 year old local woman was approached by two men and assaulted as she walked alone in Padiham last weekend.

The incident happened around 10.15pm on (Sunday 5th of September) when the woman was walking along Mill Street. She was approached by two men, one of whom grabbed hold of her wrist and asked her for a kiss before attempting to drag her into the bushes.

The woman shouted for help and she was heard by a member of the public who asked her if she was okay and if she knew the two men she was with. When the woman confirmed that she did not know the men they both fled and the police were contacted soon afterwards.

The offenders walked across Padiham Health Centre car park where the man in the yellow t-shirt used his mobile phone, they also shouted abuse at the member of the public who went to assist the victim before walking onto Station Road.

The woman suffered some scratches to her wrist and was badly shaken but otherwise unhurt.

The man who assaulted the victim is thought to be around 22 years old. He is white, around 6ft tall with short brown hair. He was wearing a plain yellow t-shirt, jeans and white trainers with a watch on his right wrist.

The second man is also described as white, around 6ft tall and 23 years of age. He has short brown hair with a 'flicked side fringe' and was wearing a blue long sleeved v neck jumper, jeans and white trainers.

Both men spoke with local accents and had alcohol on their breath.

Police are appealing for the member of the public that spoke with the victim to come forward and contact them as they could be a key witness. He is described as being around 36 years of age with ginger hair and glasses. He was wearing black trousers with a cream shirt.

DC Andrew Maden from Burnley CID said: "This is a concerning incident for which the motive is unclear. I would like to reassure local people that incidents of this nature are rare and I would appeal to anybody that witnessed the assault or has any information that could help with the investigation to contact me on 01282 472144 or 08451 25 35 45. "