Police in Leicester have issued an appeal following an incident where a woman was reportedly assaulted by a man near a service station. The occurrence took place on Baines Lane, a side road off Hinckley Road, close to the southbound M1 services in Leicester Forest East, around 6:45 pm on Saturday, April 25. The victim, a woman in her twenties, was assaulted while walking along Baines Lane towards Hinckley Road.

According to a statement by Leicestershire Police, the man forcibly pulled the woman to the ground and assaulted her before fleeing towards the southbound services upon her cries for help. Authorities are actively investigating the incident and are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect. Specialized officers are offering support to the victim during this time.

The victim described the perpetrator as a white male in his fifties, slim build, with grey hair and a grey beard, wearing a black and white short-sleeved top. Police are urging anyone who may have seen an individual matching this description to come forward with information.

Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall commented, “Despite Baines Lane being an access route, it is known to be frequented by individuals heading towards the M1 southbound. We encourage anyone with dashcam footage from the services between 5 pm and 7 pm to contact us. Any detail, regardless of how small it may seem, could be crucial in solving the case.”

Individuals can share information by visiting the Leicestershire Police website and quoting reference 26*238050 or by dialing 101.