An individual has been taken into custody following an alleged sexual assault on a female near a service area along the M1 in Leicestershire.
The incident occurred as the woman, aged in her twenties, was walking on Baines Lane towards Hinckley Road in Leicester Forest East between 6:20 pm and 6:40 pm on Saturday, according to a statement from Leicestershire Police.
Law enforcement officials reported that the woman was assaulted by a man who approached her from behind, dragged her to the ground, and committed the assault before fleeing towards the southbound services upon her cries for help.
Following an ongoing investigation, authorities have disclosed the arrest of a 59-year-old male on suspicion of attempted rape. The apprehension took place at the Leicester Forest East southbound services on Tuesday afternoon, and the individual remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall, from Signal – the specialized unit within the force handling rape and sexual assault cases, expressed gratitude for the cooperation in the investigation thus far, urging those with additional information to come forward.
While an arrest has been made, the investigative process is ongoing, with a call for potential witnesses, especially HGV drivers and other motorists who stopped at the services between 4 pm and 7 pm, to assist in the case.
A specialized public platform has been established for the submission of dashcam footage and direct information to aid the investigation team.
Individuals possessing relevant details can reach out to the authorities by dialing 101 and providing reference number 26*238050.
At Reach and across our entities , information gathered through cookies and other device identifiers is utilized by us and our associates to enhance the website experience, analyze usage patterns, and display personalized ads. You have the option to decline the sale or sharing of your data by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button on the webpage. Please be aware that these preferences are specific to your browser. By using our website and services, you agree to the use of cookies and consent to our practices as outlined in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
