Sex attack leaves women in fear (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sex attack leaves women in fear

9:58am Monday 14th July 2008 in Swindon By Hayley Court

WOMEN living in Old Town say they are scared to go out alone after dark following a sex attack on a 26-year-old woman in Croft.

The serious sexual assault took place between 1am and 3am yesterday morning near the old railway bridge in Evelyn Street.

The victim is being interviewed by police but it is expected to be a while before officers know all of the facts including a description of the attacker.

Women living in Evelyn Street say the attack has left them fearful of going out alone at night.

Deborah Whitaker had walked under the bridge with her dad and brother at 1am.

She said: "It's horrible to think something like that could happen here, that bridge is so small and there's a light under it so you wouldn't think anyone would attack someone there.

"I am glad I was with my dad otherwise who knows? I normally walk along there on my own at night but I won't be doing that now.

"This is such a quiet area, you'd never think something like that would happen here - I didn't hear a thing."

Couple Dave Fenner and Natalie Hill, also from Evelyn Street, said they heard shouting at around 2am but usually put any noise they hear at the weekend down to people returning from a night out.

Natalie, 28, said: "It's horrible. I can't believe anything like that could happen here, I am worried about going out alone now.

"I have a friend that lives on the other side of the old railway track and I always walk to and from her house on my own.

"I am not sure I will now."

Dave, 26, added: "It is very worrying.

"You do get the occasional bit of noise here on a Friday and Saturday night but that's normally people coming back from the pub so you don't take any notice."

One elderly resident who didn't wish to be named said people in the street should not let the incident make them prisoners in their own homes.

"It could happen anywhere," said the woman who has lived in the street for 60 years.

"It's true that nothing this horrific has happened here before but it does happen all over the place. You can't let it stop you going out."

Police are appealing for anyone that may have heard or seen anything between 1am and 3am yesterday morning to contact Detective Sergeant Nick Mawson at Gablecross Police Station on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0845 555 111.