Rape In Bushes: Bus Suspect Sought

Police hunting the midnight beast who dragged a young woman into bushes and raped her have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Police were called at 00.39am on Friday, March 20 to reports of a man restraining and assaulting a woman in Turpington Lane, Bromley.

Officers quickly attended and found the beaten woman, aged in her late teens, at the location.

The victim told officers she had been dragged into the bushes by an unknown man and raped.

The London Ambulance Service attended and took the victim to a south London hospital. 

She received a head injury and two black eyes in the attack.

Officers, including the Metropolitan Police's Dog Unit, with assistance from the National Police Air Service, searched the area, but there was no trace of the suspect.

The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.
Detectives have released an image of a man who boarded the N199 bus with the victim. 

Both alighted at the Southborough Library stop on Southborough Lane. 

He is the last person to be seen alongside the victim that night in the vicinity of the attack.
Anyone who recognises the man is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 181/20MAR. 

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.