Cyclist raped

[yenrod]

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2514896.0.horror_as_cyclist_33_is_raped.php

A CYCLIST was raped after she stopped to ask a man for directions.

The 33-year-old was dragged from her bike into nearby bushes and then attacked.

She had been cycling on a path behind Newton Terrace in Elderslie, Renfrewshire.

When she stopped to ask a man for directions he walked a short distance with her as if to show her the way. But he then suddenly grabbed her from the bike and carried out the sickening attack.

It happened around 1pm yesterday.

Detective Inspector Mark McGowan, of Johnstone CID, said: "This woman suffered a terrible ordeal and is extremely traumatised by the incident."

A group of around six cyclists were going over a metal bridge near the scene at the time and a family were also nearby. Police are asking for them to contact officers.

Officers have carried out an extensive search of the area and additional police will be on patrol.

The rapist was white, aged 25-30, around 5ft 8in with collar-length, greasy, sandy-coloured hair in a centre parting.

He was of thin build and was wearing a red and brown long-sleeved top with black trousers and black shoes. He was also carrying a black shoulder bag.

Mr McGowan added: "I would appeal to other cyclists, runners and dog walkers who know this area and were there at the time of the incident to call us - they may have seen or heard something important that could lead us to finding the attacker."

Anyone with information is asked to call Johnstone police office on 01505 404000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Publication date 17/06/09

 

[Davywalnuts]

Thats sickening!! Poor girl!

 

[byegad]

Lets hope they cut 'em off when they catch him!

 

[marooncat]

I have to admit this is something that does worry me in the back of my mind. I ride the same route, roughly the same time almost daily. I use a cycle path over open countryside when i often do not see one person from one end to the other, but sometimes i do come across people on the path, and without wanting to judge people by appearances, I look at them and think they look a bit dodgy.

When I was cycling in the dark i did get good at texting my BF when I was leaving (but he is the first to admit he would not panic till I was overdue by quite some time) however at the moment i do not bother doing this. My mobile phone is in my handbag, in my pannier so not exactly close at hand!!

 

[yenrod]

I have to admit this is something that does worry me in the back of my mind. I ride the same route, roughly the same time almost daily. I use a cycle path over open countryside when i often do not see one person from one end to the other, but sometimes i do come across people on the path, and without wanting to judge people by appearances, I look at them and think they look a bit dodgy.

When I was cycling in the dark i did get good at texting my BF when I was leaving (but he is the first to admit he would not panic till I was overdue by quite some time) however at the moment i do not bother doing this. My mobile phone is in my handbag, in my pannier so not exactly close at hand!!

You need to take care out there girl, ok the countries not dodge'ville, but you never know !

 

[HLaB]

 

[mookie]

I posted a link to this yesterday - it's just *shocking*. I'm wary of being out on my own as it is on the bike at night, but this kind of thing just puts me off altogether.

 

[Jim_Noir]

To be fair, it could have happned to someone walking.

I was on the forth to firth canal psth the other day, not tha many people using it, some dog walkers and such. There was a young woman walking alone, I wanted to stop and tell her off for having no sense.

 

[HelenD123]

I have to admit this is something that does worry me in the back of my mind. I ride the same route, roughly the same time almost daily. I use a cycle path over open countryside when i often do not see one person from one end to the other, but sometimes i do come across people on the path, and without wanting to judge people by appearances, I look at them and think they look a bit dodgy.

/quote]

That worried me with one walking commuting route I had so I used to vary the route home when it was dark.

At uni the cycle route to campus was off road down a dark path and there was no way I would use it. In theory off road routes are good for novice cyclists who don't want to go on the road but I didn't feel safe on my own at quiet times of day.

 

[Arch]

I was on the forth to firth canal psth the other day, not tha many people using it, some dog walkers and such. There was a young woman walking alone, I wanted to stop and tell her off for having no sense.

I get your point, but it's a bit unfair that women should have to curtail their activities. I'm frequently out alone, not having a man to chaperone me everywhere. If I waited for a man (or woman) to go cycling with, I'd never get out (or get to work). And presumably these days, a man might be at equal peril from muggers.

I remember a friend telling me she'd been told a good trick, when walking, was to have your keys always in your hand (preferably a small bunch, not just one key), with the keys sticking out between your fingers so as to form a sort of knuckleduster/scraping weapon in your clenched fist, that you could swing with if necessary.

I wonder if there's something similar we could do on bikes. I know most of us have a D lock or something hefty with us, but rarely actually to hand in an instant.

 

[René Artois]

I cannot allow such talk in my cafe....take it elsewhere please.

 

[Headgardener]

I get your point, but it's a bit unfair that women should have to curtail their activities. I'm frequently out alone, not having a man to chaperone me everywhere. If I waited for a man (or woman) to go cycling with, I'd never get out (or get to work). And presumably these days, a man might be at equal peril from muggers.

I remember a friend telling me she'd been told a good trick, when walking, was to have your keys always in your hand (preferably a small bunch, not just one key), with the keys sticking out between your fingers so as to form a sort of knuckleduster/scraping weapon in your clenched fist, that you could swing with if necessary.

I wonder if there's something similar we could do on bikes. I know most of us have a D lock or something hefty with us, but rarely actually to hand in an instant.

Should be enough to put anybody off of commiting an assult being clouted round the head with a solidly made D lock several times.

 

[summerdays]

I've just finished having to cycle 5 miles up the Bristol to Bath path for the last week on my own - I can't say I enjoyed it, I was aware there weren't many people around at lunch time but just enough to make me feel OK ish. Its a lovely route when you are with company.

 

[Jim_Noir]

I get your point, but it's a bit unfair that women should have to curtail their activities. I'm frequently out alone, not having a man to chaperone me everywhere. If I waited for a man (or woman) to go cycling with, I'd never get out (or get to work). And presumably these days, a man might be at equal peril from muggers.

I remember a friend telling me she'd been told a good trick, when walking, was to have your keys always in your hand (preferably a small bunch, not just one key), with the keys sticking out between your fingers so as to form a sort of knuckleduster/scraping weapon in your clenched fist, that you could swing with if necessary.

I wonder if there's something similar we could do on bikes. I know most of us have a D lock or something hefty with us, but rarely actually to hand in an instant.

I 100% agree, why should a woman not be safe on her own.

Buy a wooden kubaton, not one with spikes or a hidden blade. Keep it on your keys as a keyring and use that as a striking weapon. The law for carrying them is a very grey area, they are not illigal... but if you caused someone harm you might face some legal action (same with keys).

The Dlock would give a good hit, but easy for them to grab. Take up Judo or Jiu Jitsu if you really want to defend yourself against this.

The three best ways to avoid attacks for male or female is:

Don't hang around with a-holes
Don't walk in secluded areas
Don't hang about kebab shops at 3am

 

[theclaud]

There was a young woman walking alone, I wanted to stop and tell her off for having no sense.

How dare she walk wherever she pleases, eh? Anyone would think women were demanding the right not to be attacked, the unreasonable muddle-headed bints. Glad you put her straight.