Woman raped in Lowestoft by man who gave her a lift

Image source, Google

Image caption, The victim is being supported by specialist trained officers following the attack in Kimberley Road

A woman in her 30s has been raped by a man who offered her a lift in his car.

The victim was walking along Oulton Road in Lowestoft, Suffolk, when the small, light-coloured vehicle stopped at about 04:00 GMT on Saturday.

She got in the car, as she thought the driver was genuine, but soon afterwards, he stopped in Kimberley Road and raped her.

Police said the attack, which took place in the car, was "despicable" and praised the victim's courage.

During the car journey the suspect, described as Asian and aged between 30 and 40, told the woman he often offered people lifts to "make friends".

Det Supt Marina Ericson said: "We would like to hear from anyone else who may have been offered a lift in similar circumstances recently by a man matching this description.

"The suspect presented himself as genuine and the victim accepted a lift in good faith."

Officers are particularly keen to hear from the driver of a blue or green Ford Fiesta, who was helped by a local resident after his car broke down in Kimberley Road at about 05:30 GMT on Saturday.