POLICE IN GREATER Manchester are investigating after a 90-year-old woman was dragged off the street and raped.

The attack happened at around 6.45am yesterday when the victim left home to visit the local butchers, a statement from Rochdale Police said.

According to the statement:

As she walked along Spotland Road she felt a hand go over her mouth and she was dragged backwards. She lost then consciousness and awoke on the floor. She had been raped.

The victim then walked to the butchers and raised the alarm.

The victim is now being supported by specially trained officers and detectives have launched an investigation.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen the victim, and potentially the offender, on the morning of the attack.

The woman is being described as “white” and was wearing “a white summer dress with a flower print and a cardigan”.

The only description given of the offender is that he was a white man.

“I am sure the entire community will share our revulsion at this,” Superintendent Alistair Mallen, based at Rochdale, said in the statement.

“The victim has been through an horrific ordeal and we are all hoping she can make a full recovery.

“She is now being supported by experienced officers and we are doing everything possible to reassure her that we will catch the man responsible.

“This kind of attack is thankfully so rare that it will naturally cause a huge amount of concern in the community.

“I now want people, including the criminal fraternity, to imagine if that had been your mum or grandma. I want to harness these feelings and use them to help the police do their job – catch this man and put him before the courts.”

Read: It’s not just Tuam… Mother-and-baby probe needs to examine at least 100 institutions, Minister told

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More