Shoe clue to tracing 2006 sex attacker

Mar 4 2009 Wallasey News

A TEENAGER’S slip-on shoe could still be stored by a double rapist years after she fled from his car after a terrifying late-night sex attack.

Detectives are searching for the man who targeted two 19-year-old women, on one occasion posing as a police officer and on the second as a taxi driver.

The rapist attacked his victims in Liverpool city centre and New Brighton, first in 2004 and then again, two years later, in December 2006.

Merseyside Police have now taken the step of releasing a picture of a shoe which was left behind in the rapist’s car when she was being taken home to Wirral following the second rape.

In her panic, the teenager left her footwear as she escaped from a silver Honda car at traffic lights and sprinted to flats in Rosegate Court, Wallasey, where she raised the alarm.

The shoe was left behind in the car and officers think it is possible the attacker could even have kept it as a trophy.

Detective Superintendent Colin Leeman, of Merseyside police, said: “I must stress stranger rape offences are very rare.

‘‘We are still in regular contact with these two victims and the impact remains for them.

“It is harder knowing the person who did this is still out there.”

In the second attack, on December 27, 2006, a woman was on her own in The Myrtle pub in Birkenhead, celebrating Christmas.

When she left, she saw what appeared to be a taxi in the car park.

The teenager asked if he was a cabbie and when she received that confimation, got in the passenger seat.

She asked to be taken home, but the bogus taxi driver soon took a different route and headed for New Brighton promenade.

The bewildered teenager challenged him, but he ignored her.

When he reached a secluded spot, he leaned across, pinned her down and he raped her.

Anyone who can help call police on 0151-777 8659 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.