Image released of man carrying guitar bag after woman sexually assaulted in Salford

Detectives investigating the sexual assault of a woman in Salford last week have released an image of a man they are keen to identify and speak to in relation to the incident.

The victim - aged in her 20s - was walking home from work in the early hours of Wednesday 9 March when she was approached by a man who continued to follow her before pinning her to a bench on Stanley Street - close to the border with Manchester city centre.

The man then proceeded to inappropriately touch the woman who was able to scream and prompt the offender to get off her and walk away from the scene.

Investigators have made a number of enquiries - including with CCTV - and are now releasing an image of a man that appears to be carrying a guitar on his back who was walking close to the area half-an-hour before the incident is believed to have taken place at around 1.30-1.40am.

Since reporting the incident to us, the victim has been offered specialist support from our officers and partner agencies that are trained to help victims of sexual abuse.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Willis, of the Salford District, said "This was a traumatic and shocking incident for the victim to endure and we credit her bravery for firstly getting the offender away from her and subsequently reporting this incident to us.

"We've put a great deal of time into conducting a number of enquiries - including with CCTV - and we are hopeful that the man on the image will be identified so that we are able to speak to him about this incident as we think he could hold some very important information.

"It's our understanding that this man may have been in Manchester city centre for some time before this incident took place and we are still working to establish where he may have been before we see him on this image at about 1am walking in the direction of the Salford border.

"He appears to be wearing a guitar bag on his back and should be distinctive for anyone that may have been walking on Oxford Road or the proximity of the city centre on the night of Tuesday 8 March going into the early hours of Wednesday 9 March.

"If you have any information then please call us on 0161 856 5235 or 0161 856 5194 quoting incident 193 of 09/03/2022; you can also pass information to us anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester.  We offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages.  Services are available  on a 24-hour basis and  can  be accessed by telephoning 0161 276 6515.

-Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.  Call us on  0161 273 4500 or email us at [email protected]

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.