Description clue in West Heath sex beast hunt

May 9 2008 By Mark Cowan

PICTURED is the knife-wielding sex beast at the centre of a police manhunt after a woman was sexually assaulted in an alleyway.

The "traumatised" victim has worked with police artists to compile an e-fit of the pervert behind the terrifying knifepoint ordeal.

The 43-year-old woman was walking along an alley which runs between Rednal Road and Near Hill Road, West Heath, near to West Heath Hospital, when the man pounced at 8pm last Friday.

He threatened her with a knife and then seriously sexually assaulted her before running off.

Police believe the man may know the area and either lives there or knows people who do.

While they are treating the incident as isolated, police urged women to be on their guard.

The attacker is described as white, aged 45-47, 5ft 7ins, medium build with short-cropped brown hair and wearing dark clothing and trainers. He was clean shaven.

Det Insp Richard Mayhew, from Bournville Lane police station, said: "The victim is understandably traumatised by the attack which occurred in daylight not far from a busy urban road."n Anyone with information is asked to contact Bournville Lane CID on 0845 113 5000.