Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sex attackers left woman in burning car

Wednesday 17 February 1993 20:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

DETECTIVES were last night hunting two 'ruthless' youths who kidnapped a woman motorist, sexually assaulted her and abandoned her in a burning car.

Police said they were treating the incident as attempted murder. Chief Superintendent Alan Marlow, who is leading the hunt, said he was 'astonished by the inhuman, calculating and ruthless nature' of the attack.

The 38-year-old married woman was yesterday recovering at home in Luton, Bedfordshire. 'She is still very traumatised,' Chief Inspector Colin Woolf, of Luton police, said. The two-hour ordeal began shortly before 8pm on Tuesday when she slowed her Vauxhall Astra car in Pasture's Way, Luton, for two youths who were pushing a dark blue or black Ford Escort.

The youths ran over to her car, bundled her into the passenger seat and drove off. They then pulled on balaclavas before forcing her into the back of the car, placing a plastic bag over her head and binding her with a rope. They also took her jewellery.

During her ordeal the woman was sexually assaulted. The youths finally abandoned her, still bound, in the car park of Toddington services on the M1 - eight miles from where she had been ambushed.

Police said the youths splashed a petrol-like liquid in the woman's face and over the back seat of the car, which they then set ablaze before running off.

The woman struggled out of the car before a lorry driver came to her aid.

The attackers were said to be aged 16 to 18, 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall. One was wearing a dark leather jacket and one had 'Pete' tattooed on his knuckles.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in