A 90-year-old woman was raped yesterday while on her way to a local shop in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
The victim felt a hand go over her mouth as she was dragged backwards in Spotland Road at around 6.45am yesterday morning.
Greater Manchester police have launched a manhunt for the pensioner's attacker and are asking anyone who may have seen the victim or the potential offender to get in contact with them.
Superintendent Alistair Mallen said: "I am sure the entire community will share our revulsion at this. The victim has been through a horrific ordeal and we are all hoping she can make a full recovery. She is now being supported by experienced officers and we are doing everything possible to reassure her that we will catch the man responsible.
"This kind of attack is, thankfully, so rare that it will naturally cause a huge amount of concern in the community.
"I now want people, including the criminal fraternity, to imagine if that had been your mum or grandma. I want to harness these feelings and use them to help the police do their job – catch this man and put him before the courts".
Anyone with information should call the police in Rochdale on 0161 856 8470/8420 or
Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
